Sony is developing a new portable console that could play PlayStation 5 games, potentially challenging Nintendo and Microsoft in the mobile gaming market. Sources close to the project indicate the device is in early stages and may take years to release.
The project aims to expand PlayStation’s accessibility and reach a broader gaming audience. Sony Corp. is reportedly in the early stages of developing a portable console that would allow users to play PlayStation 5 games on the go. The move aims to expand Sony’s presence in the portable gaming market and compete with Nintendo Co. It would also position Sony against Xbox maker Microsoft, which is also exploring mobile gaming hardware. However, the handheld console may still be years away from release, and Sony could ultimately decide not to bring it to market, according to sources familiar with the development, who requested anonymity.
The console builds upon the PlayStation Portal, an 8-inch streaming device launched in 2023
Initially, Sony considered making the Portal a standalone gaming device similar to Steam Deck
This new device builds on the PlayStation Portal, an 8-inch handheld Sony launched in 2023 that enables streaming of PS5 games via the internet. Initially, Sony had considered making the PlayStation Portal a standalone gaming device, similar to Valve’s Steam Deck.
If successful, this portable device would increase the accessibility of PlayStation’s games, attracting a broader audience. In recent years, Sony has been expanding its reach into mobile and PC gaming, as well as focusing on live-service games to broaden its market.
A Sony representative declined to comment on the matter.
Mobile gaming, which generates a significant portion of the industry’s revenue, is primarily dominated by smartphones. Nintendo’s Switch console has captured a significant share by offering flexibility, allowing users to play both on the go and at home on a TV. Nintendo is also preparing for the release of a successor to the Switch in 2025, which will continue to support its extensive library of games, potentially driving an upgrade cycle among Switch users.
Both Sony and Microsoft have not released portable gaming hardware in years, following the discontinuation of their previous attempts—the PS Vita and PlayStation Portable—about a decade ago.
