Oliver Haslam on November 25, 2024, 6:27 pm

Sony Plans To Release A Handheld Console That Can Run Native PS5 Games

Sony is reportedly hard at work on a new portable game console that will rival the Nintendo Switch. It’s thought that the handheld console is currently in the early stages of development.

A Bloomberg report claims that the new machine will build on the existing PlayStation Portal that was released in 2023. That device was limited to streaming games from a PS5 until recently, with Sony adding support for cloud gaming.

Bloomberg believes that while work is ongoing, it’s likely that the portable PlayStation is still years away from a launch. The report cites unnamed sources familiar with the plans who did not want to be named discussing plans that are private.

Sony isn’t the only company thought to have designs on a new mobile console. Nintendo is expected to announce the Switch 2 sooner rather than later while Bloomberg notes that Microsoft is also working on a similar device.

The product is aimed at expanding Sony’s reach and contending with Nintendo Co. for the portable gaming market, according to people familiar with its development. It would also counter any potential mobile hardware from Xbox maker Microsoft Corp., which is working on prototypes in the category as well. Sony’s portable device is likely years away from launch and the company could still decide against bringing it to market, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private plans.

Sony has so far refused to comment on the report, but the company does have a history with portable PlayStations following the PlayStation Portable and PS Vita and the aforementioned PlayStation Portal.