Sony's New Handheld: Playstation Portal 2 to Rival Switch

Sony is reportedly in the early development stages of a new portable console, aiming to re-enter the handheld gaming market. Read on to learn more about what’s coming next!

Sony Reportedly Working On Handheld Console

Back Into The Portable Gaming Market

According to a report published by Bloomberg on November 25th, Sony is said to be developing a brand-new handheld console that would allow players to enjoy PlayStation 5 games while on the move. This potential device could help Sony regain its footing in the mobile and handheld gaming space, positioning it as a direct competitor to both Nintendo and Microsoft. While Nintendo has long dominated the portable gaming scene—from the Game Boy era to today's Nintendo Switch—Microsoft has also begun exploring this growing market with prototype devices already in development.

The upcoming handheld is rumored to be an evolution of the PlayStation Portal, Sony’s remote player device launched last year that enables PS5 game streaming over Wi-Fi. Although the Portal received mixed reviews, refining the technology into a standalone mobile console capable of natively running PS5 titles could significantly boost Sony’s appeal to a broader audience. This comes at a time when PS5 prices have risen by 20% due to inflation, making alternative access points for PlayStation content more attractive than ever.

Sony isn’t new to the world of handheld gaming. Its earlier efforts like the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation Vita were well-received but ultimately failed to challenge Nintendo’s dominance. However, with shifting consumer habits and rising demand for portable play, it seems Sony is ready to give handheld gaming another shot.

As of now, Sony has not officially confirmed or commented on these reports.

The Rise Of Mobile And Handheld Gaming

Modern lifestyles are fast-paced, and people are increasingly looking for entertainment they can enjoy on the go. That’s one reason why mobile and handheld gaming have seen substantial growth in recent years, contributing significantly to the global gaming industry’s revenue. Smartphones offer unmatched convenience, serving as both productivity tools and casual gaming platforms. Yet, they still fall short when it comes to delivering high-performance, console-quality gameplay.

This gap has created a prime opportunity for dedicated handheld consoles. These devices provide a tailored gaming experience, optimized for performance and portability. So far, Nintendo has led this segment with the wildly successful Switch, which continues to dominate sales charts. With rumors pointing to a Switch successor arriving around 2025, and Microsoft also eyeing expansion into handheld territory, it makes perfect sense that Sony wants to stake its claim in this booming market.