According to recent insider information, Sony is reportedly developing a PS5 natively compatible handheld game console. Although it is still early to call this handheld a prototype, it is already being compared with gaming consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch and handhelds from Xbox, which are being developed right now.
The Handheld Market Never Goes Out of Style
According to Bloomberg’s reports, this handheld console has been built separately from the company’s PS Portal gaming device. PS Portal only provides Remote Play, which means the purchase of game titles does not happen, rather they are streamed over the internet. The future handheld console aims to be able to play games on the actual console instead of the need to stream them from the PS5, making a move towards a pure handheld experience rather than relying on the console being close at hand.
Yet, some sources also warn that this program is still in the early stages and has a chance to not even be released for several years.
The New PS5 Handheld Aim is On Steam Deck
However, many people will prefer viewing the PS5 handheld as a competition to Nintendo Switch; some experts think that Sony will seek to challenge the Steam Deck. If yes, then the PS5 handheld may go for extremist features having an OLED display and other future facets including PS6.
This strategy would allow the Handheld to be positioned as a premium offering in the market which will make a higher price acceptable, especially when the functionality and performance also improves. There would be some degree of improvement because, just like the steam deck games have different performance modes, similarly, hand-held consoles can also have scaled games for the PS5 and PS6 designed for handheld devices.
Learning from the Past
The ever-present history of Sony when it comes to developing portable consoles such as the PSP and PS Vita hasn’t been too impressive, both consoles soon became obsolete because of a lack of software and sales. The expectation of insiders and fans alike is that this handheld portable console will be different from its predecessors because it will utilize already available PS5 and PS6 game libraries instead of solely relying on handheld only games.
As the craze of mobile gaming and portable consoles begins to rise, there is also the threat of Xbox’s much awaited handheld version and other new entrants in the market which can motivate Sony to pour all resources in making this device a hit. Currently, there is nothing concrete regarding its console features and expectations but if Sony’s previous experience is anything to go by then this console is likely to be successful.
This more of a thought process for Sony might be to change the focus back to portable gaming but of course the project will require time before one can see results.
