PlayStation Portal

Last updated
PlayStation Portal
CodenameProject Q
Developer Sony Interactive Entertainment
Manufacturer Sony
Product family PlayStation
TypeHandheld gaming device
Generation Ninth
Release date
Introductory price$199.99
Operating system Android [7]
Display1920 x 1080, touch-enabled, 8 inches, 60Hz LCD [8]
Controller input DualSense
Connectivity Wi-Fi
Online services PlayStation Network
Dimensions14.0 x 3.88 x 6.0 inches [8]
Mass1.15 pounds (520 grams) [9]
Related PlayStation 5
Website https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/playstation-portal-remote-player/

The PlayStation Portal, officially the PlayStation Portal Remote Player, [10] [11] is a handheld gaming accessory for the PlayStation 5, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, first released on November 15, 2023. [12] It is used to stream video games and other media from a PlayStation 5 via the Portal's Wi-Fi connection using Remote Play technology. The Portal is able to control the console using its own built-in screen and DualSense-like controller [13] [14] styled like a handheld game console, [15] although it does not run any games or media natively on its own. [16]

Contents

Hardware and technicals

The PlayStation Portal's main hardware features include an 8-inch LCD HD screen and "all of the buttons and features of a DualSense controller". [17] It runs on a Snapdragon 662 system-on-chip. [18] Software-wise it runs on a heavily modified version of Android 13. [18] Unlike the Nintendo Switch or Sony's own previous PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation Portal is not a standalone game console and only functions as a streaming receiver for PlayStation 5. [19] [20]

Connectivity

The PlayStation Portal connects to a paired PlayStation 5 through a local area network instead of directly, using the Portal's Wi-Fi connection. [21] The controller commands and video stream are transmitted over the local network, which means that a broadband Internet connection is not required at home other than for authentication purposes or to play online multiplayer games. [21] Naturally, when oudoors or remote, an Internet connection is required; the Portal itself does not feature 4G/5G cellular connectivity, [22] instead connecting to a Wi-Fi access point elsewhere, which may also include tethering to an existing cell phone's connection. [22]

Due to the lack of a web browser, the PlayStation Portal was initially unable to connect to most public Wi-Fi hotspots which require access to a captive portal for authentication. A system software update rolled out on June 19, 2024 allowing users to connect to these public networks. [23] This was initially limited to the 2.4 GHz radio band, but another firmware update released in July added support for 5 GHz public Wi-Fi networks. [24]

Publications have noted that the quality of the stream, both locally and remote, is highly dependent on the home router, and generally recommend the PlayStation 5 to be hardwired to the router using Ethernet instead of wirelessly. [25] [26]

Development

The device was announced as Project Q on May 23, 2023. [27]

Reception

Following its announcement, there was a degree of doubt about the potential of the device. [28] However, the PlayStation Portal has reportedly been a sales success, becoming the best-selling PS5 accessory in the United States in 2024. [29] Eleven months on from its U.S. launch, an estimated minimum of 420,000 units had been sold in the country. [30]

Hacking

In 2024, security researcher Andy "theflow0" Nguyen announced he was able to hack the PlayStation Portal and run PlayStation Portable games on it through the PPSSPP emulator, posting a picture of the Portal running the PSP release of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories . [31] [32]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "PlayStation Portal: Your Pre-Order Guide in UAE".
  2. ↑ "PlayStation Portal now available in SA – Here's the price". 21 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "PlayStation Portal ya está disponible en México". July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Stream PS5 games on the go! Sony PlayStation Portal launching in India on Aug 3: Check price and features".
  5. 1 2 "Details on PS Portal's pricing and release date in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand". PlayStation Blog. 28 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "PlayStation Portal在台港兩地的發售情報". 29 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Davis, Wes (2023-07-22). "The Sony Project Q handheld is running Android in a leaked video". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  8. 1 2 Nelius, Joanna. "PlayStation Portal". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Yang, George. "PlayStation Portal review: A cool handheld for PS5 owners, but its features are limited". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  10. ↑ "PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player | PS5 games in the palm of your hand". PlayStation. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  11. ↑ "Buy PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player | PlayStation®". direct.playstation.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  12. ↑ "PlayStation's first Remote Play dedicated device, PlayStation Portal remote player, to launch later this year at $199.99". PlayStation.Blog. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  13. ↑ Bonifacic, Igor (24 May 2023). "'Project Q' is a dedicated PS5 streaming device due later this year". Engadget. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  14. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (24 May 2023). "PlayStation to release a new streaming handheld Project Q". Axios. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Yang, George. "PlayStation Portal review: A cool handheld for PS5 owners, but its features are limited". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  16. ↑ Rory Mellon (2023-12-04). "I took the PlayStation Portal on a trip — and I'll never do it again". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  17. ↑ Kan, Michael (24 May 2023). "Sony Teases 'Project Q' Handheld Device That Can Stream PS5 Games". PC Mag. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  18. 1 2 https://www.notebookcheck.net/PlayStation-Portal-Sony-s-latest-game-streaming-console-is-powered-by-a-mid-range-Qualcomm-SoC.768752.0.html
  19. ↑ "PlayStation Portal's unexpected success may be enough to reignite Sony's interest in handheld gaming". TechSpot. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  20. ↑ Rory Mellon (2023-12-04). "I took the PlayStation Portal on a trip — and I'll never do it again". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  21. 1 2 Butler, Sydney (2023-12-13). "Don't Gift a PlayStation Portal Without Reading This". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  22. 1 2 updated, Rob DwiarContributions from Aleksha McLoughlin last (2023-08-23). "PlayStation Portal release date, price, features, specs, and everything we know". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  23. ↑ Wituschek, Joe (2024-06-19). "PlayStation Portal can finally connect to public Wi-Fi networks, but will that work?". BGR. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  24. ↑ Square, Push (2024-07-25). "PS Portal Update 3.0.1 Allows Connection to 5GHz Public WiFi, Here Are the Patch Notes". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  25. ↑ Benedetto, Antonio G. Di (2023-12-24). "The PlayStation Portal is flawed but fun". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  26. ↑ Editor, Richard Leadbetter Technology; Foundry, Digital (2023-11-20). "DF Weekly: PlayStation Portal's quality is reliant on your home network set-up". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2024-10-31.{{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  27. ↑ Hirun Cryer (2023-05-24). "Project Q is PlayStation's dedicated remote gaming device". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  28. ↑ Square, Push (2024-05-30). "PS5's Streaming Handheld PS Portal Is Proving a Huge Hit". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  29. ↑ Demi Williams (2024-07-09). "PlayStation Portal sales continue to do well as it reportedly becomes the best-selling PS5 accessory in 2024". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  30. ↑ Square, Push (2024-10-14). "One Year On, Plucky PS Portal's Sales Remain Strong". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  31. ↑ "PS Portal Hack Lets The Handheld Run PSP Games". Kotaku. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  32. ↑ Mann, Tobias. "Hackers mod a Sony PlayStation Portal to emulate PSP games". The Register. Retrieved 2024-02-21.


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