Summary
PlayStation has entered the competition for handheld gaming in the ninth generation of consoles with the launch of thePlayStation Portal. While it’s easy to compare the PlayStation Portal to other handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally, Sony’s new handheld has some key differences from these other consoles that are worth taking a look at. Being able to playPlayStationgames portably is an enticing prospect, but interested players should know what they’re getting into before purchasing a PlayStation Portal.
For years, Nintendo had dominated the portable console gaming market with the Switch being able to swap between docked and handheld modes for gaming on the go. PC gamers have been introduced to the world of portable gaming with the introduction of theSteam Deck and ROG Allyin recent years as competitors to the Nintendo Switch. While PlayStation and Xbox haven’t put forth true competitors to these handhelds, the PlayStation Portal is the closest piece of hardware to the Switch that another major console developer has created, despite its limitations.
1080p/60fps
$199.99
720p/60fps
Full Portability
$349.99
The biggest difference between thePlayStation Portal and Nintendo Switchthat keeps Sony’s new handheld from being a true competitor to the Switch is the fact that it can’t play games independently of the PS5. The PlayStation Portal can only stream games from the PS5 over local Wi-Fi using the console’s Remote Play feature, meaning it doesn’t have nearly the same portability as the Switch, given players still need to be within range of their Wi-Fi router and PS5 console to play it. As such, the Switch has the advantage in terms of offering a true portable gaming experience.
This discrepancy makes comparing hardware somewhat irrelevant since the PlayStation Portal can’t run games without being connected to a PS5 via Wi-Fi. However, some elements of these two consoles' hardware can be compared, such as their displays. Both consoles have their advantages and disadvantages in this regard, with theSwitch having the option for an OLED screenbut only running at 720p/6fps, while the PlayStation Portal runs at a higher 1080p resolution with a frame rate cap of 60fps, but only offers users an LCD screen.
Additionally, the PlayStation Portal does not have Bluetooth support like the Switch does, but it does have a feature called PlayStation Link that allows the handheld to connect to specific accessories like thePlayStation Pulse Elite wireless headsetand the PlayStation Pulse Explore wireless earbuds. This means users won’t be able to use third-party wireless headphones and earbuds when using the PlayStation Portal. However, one advantage the PlayStation Portal does have over the Switch is a more attractive price point at an MSRP of $199.99 compared to the Switch’s MSRP of $349.99.
Although the PlayStation Portal’s PS5 connectivity requirement does make it much more limited in portability compared to the Switch, that doesn’t mean the handheld should be written off entirely. Users with the network capabilities to handle game streaming from the PS5 to the PlayStation Portal will be able to play some of the console’s best titles, likeGod of War: RagnarokandSpider-Man 2from the comfort of their bed or any other room in their house, without being tied to the TV the PS5 is connected to. While this setup may not appeal to as many users as the full portability of the Switch, there will likely be a handful of users for whom the PlayStation Portal is the perfect handheld.
PlayStation Portal
While not exactly a PSP successor, the PlayStation Portal solves an age-old issue of having to share one TV in a household. This remote play device allows users to stream whatever is happening on their PlayStation 5’s directly to the large 8-inch 1080p LCD screen. What makes the PlayStation Portal unique is that it comes packed with all the advanced technology of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. One downside is that it doesn’t feature Bluetooth support for wireless audio, but it does work with the PlayStation Pulse earbuds and headset, while also sporting a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio.
