Sony’s PlayStation Portal: A $200 Handheld Device for PS5 Game Streaming
Sony has recently provided additional information about the PlayStation Portal remote player, a device they had previously hinted at a few months ago. Alongside new gaming earbuds, the company has now disclosed further details about this dedicated remote play device for the PlayStation 5.
The handheld looks a bit like a tablet wedged between the two halves of the DualSense controller. It can stream games from your PS5 console, so when someone else is using the TV or you’re in another room (or even traveling), you can still play remotely via WiFi without your phone, tablet or computer. Sony says the cleverly named PlayStation Portal remote features an eight-inch LCD screen that delivers 1080p visuals at 60 frames per second. The device also benefits from DualSense features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack. This should come in handy since, according to IGN, there is no Bluetooth functionality. You’ll either need to use Sony’s new earbuds or headphones, or plug in wired headphones.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is no support for PS VR2 games. You still need to connect the headset directly to the PS5 to play VR games. Unfortunately, Sony says cloud game streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium isn’t supported either. You need to install the game on your PS5 to play it remotely on the PlayStation Portal. That’s disappointing, especially considering the company is testing the ability to stream PS5 games to the console.
Also, you better hope the WiFi stays on. As IGN points out, PlayStation Portal doesn’t run any apps locally. Everything goes through the PS5 – you can watch movies and TV shows on your handheld through the console’s media apps – so if your WiFi goes down, the PlayStation Portal is virtually useless.
Handhelds focused on streaming, such as the Razer Edge, can run Android apps locally. You can also use third-party devices such as ASUS ROG Ally or Steam Deck to remotely play your PS5.
PlayStation Portal Remote Player will arrive later this year. It costs $200 in the US, £200 in the UK, €220 in the rest of Europe and ¥29,980 in Japan.
In addition to this, Sony has revealed more about its first wireless headset for PS5 and the PlayStation Portal remote, as well as new headsets it plans for both systems. It says the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headsets will support both PS5 and handheld lossless audio with low latency thanks to the new PlayStation Link technology.
You’ll need a USB adapter to connect earbuds and headphones to your PS5 via PlayStation Link. The technology is also supported on PC and Mac. The Pulse Explore earbuds and the Pulse Elite also have a multi-point connection. You can connect them to both your PS5 and a Bluetooth device (like your phone) at the same time, so you can easily answer a call while playing a game.
The earbuds and headphones also feature custom planar magnetic drivers (the first PlayStation audio devices to include them). Sony claims to be one of the first companies to offer consumers in-ear headphones with this technology, which it says offers “an audiophile-level listening experience typically found in premium professional audio technology headphones.”
The Pulse Explore earbuds have dual microphones and “AI-enhanced noise cancellation” to filter out background noise. Naturally, they come with a charging case. The Pulse Elite has similar technology for handling background noise, as well as a retractable boom microphone. Sony also manufactures a charging station for headphones.
The company has not announced a release date for either device, except that it will announce the details soon. Be warned though: the Pulse Explore earbuds are quite expensive. They cost the same as the PlayStation Portal remote in the US, UK, Europe and Japan. The Pulse Elite, on the other hand, will set you back $150 in the US, £130 in the UK, €150 in the rest of Europe, and ¥18,980 in Japan.
