PlayStation Portal

Last updated
PlayStation Portal
PlayStation Portal in box.jpg
A PlayStation Portal in its packaging in a GameStop store outlet
CodenameProject Q
Developer Sony Interactive Entertainment
Manufacturer Sony
Product family PlayStation
Type Handheld gaming device
Generation Ninth
Release date
Introductory price$199.99
Operating system Android [7]
Display1920 × 1080, touch-enabled, 8 inches, 60Hz LCD [8]
Controller input DualSense
Connectivity Wi-Fi
Online services PlayStation Network
Dimensions14.0 × 3.88 × 6.0 inches [8]
Weight1.15 pounds (520 grams) [9]
Related PlayStation 5
Website https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/playstation-portal-remote-player/

The PlayStation Portal is a handheld gaming accessory for the PlayStation 5, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, first released on November 15, 2023. [10] 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 [11] [12] styled like a handheld game console, [13] although it does not run any games or media natively on its own. [14]

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". [15] It runs on a Snapdragon 662 system-on-chip. [16] Software-wise it runs on a heavily modified version of Android 13. [16] 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. [17] [18] In November 2024, Sony rolled out test versions of the device's software to give cloud gaming access to players with PlayStation Plus Premium. [19]

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. [20] 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. [20] When outdoors or remote, an Internet connection is required; the Portal itself does not feature 4G/5G cellular connectivity, [21] instead connecting to a Wi-Fi access point elsewhere, which may also include tethering to an existing cell phone's connection. [21]

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. [22] 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. [23]

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. [24] [25]

Development

The device was announced as Project Q on May 23, 2023. [26]

Reception

Following its announcement, there was a degree of doubt about the potential of the device. [27] However, the PlayStation Portal has reportedly been a sales success, becoming the best-selling PS5 accessory in the United States in 2024. [28] Eleven months on from its U.S. launch, an estimated minimum of 420,000 units had been sold in the country. [29]

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 . [30] [31]

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'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.
  11. ↑ Bonifacic, Igor (24 May 2023). "'Project Q' is a dedicated PS5 streaming device due later this year". Engadget. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  12. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (24 May 2023). "PlayStation to release a new streaming handheld Project Q". Axios. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  13. ↑ Yang, George. "PlayStation Portal review: A cool handheld for PS5 owners, but its features are limited". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Kan, Michael (24 May 2023). "Sony Teases 'Project Q' Handheld Device That Can Stream PS5 Games". PC Mag. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  16. 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
  17. ↑ "PlayStation Portal's unexpected success may be enough to reignite Sony's interest in handheld gaming". TechSpot. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-will-trial-cloud-streaming-for-the-ps5-portal-230817262.html
  20. 1 2 Butler, Sydney (2023-12-13). "Don't Gift a PlayStation Portal Without Reading This". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  21. 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.
  22. ↑ Wituschek, Joe (2024-06-19). "PlayStation Portal can finally connect to public Wi-Fi networks, but will that work?". BGR. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ Benedetto, Antonio G. Di (2023-12-24). "The PlayStation Portal is flawed but fun". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  25. ↑ Leadbetter, Richard (2023-11-20). "DF Weekly: PlayStation Portal's quality is reliant on your home network set-up". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  26. ↑ Hirun Cryer (2023-05-24). "Project Q is PlayStation's dedicated remote gaming device". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  27. ↑ Square, Push (2024-05-30). "PS5's Streaming Handheld PS Portal Is Proving a Huge Hit". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ Square, Push (2024-10-14). "One Year On, Plucky PS Portal's Sales Remain Strong". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  30. ↑ "PS Portal Hack Lets The Handheld Run PSP Games". Kotaku. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  31. ↑ Mann, Tobias. "Hackers mod a Sony PlayStation Portal to emulate PSP games". The Register. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
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