Sony is reportedly working on a PS5 handheld, so where does this leave Xbox’s offering?

Sony is reportedly working on a PS5 handheld, so where does this leave Xbox's offering?

What you need to know

  • A report from Bloomberg indicates that Sony is in the early stages of working on a PlayStation gaming handheld.
  • This handheld is meant to provide an option to play PlayStation 5 games on the go, and is still years away from being released.
  • Sony has worked on handheld devices before, including the popular PSP and the ill-supported PS Vita.
  • Microsoft is also working on a handheld Xbox of some kind, and this company’s offering is similarly years away from launching.

As a seasoned researcher who has witnessed the ebb and flow of the gaming industry over the past few decades, I find the recent news about potential handheld consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo intriguing but also tinged with a hint of skepticism.


All three major console platform holders are working on handheld devices.

Based on Bloomberg’s report, Sony is currently working on a new gaming handheld device that may potentially run PlayStation 5 games. However, it’s important to note that this product is still in its development phase and might not be released for several years. There’s even a possibility that the project could be scrapped before reaching full production. The report also mentions that Sony initially planned for the PlayStation Portal to function as a handheld device capable of playing games, but ultimately changed its direction instead.

The PlayStation Portal allows PlayStation 5 owners to stream games from their console to the handheld, with testing recently opening up for direct Cloud gaming. The device cannot play games natively however, meaning that unlike something like the ASUS ROG Ally, Steam Deck, or Nintendo Switch, a strong, consistent internet connection is required.

Handhelds are exciting, but we’ll be waiting a while

Sony is reportedly working on a PS5 handheld, so where does this leave Xbox's offering?

As a researcher, I’m keeping tabs on the tech industry, and it’s exciting to see both Microsoft and Nintendo working on handheld gaming devices. The buzz around Nintendo is particularly high, as they are rumored to announce and release an update to their iconic Switch console within the upcoming months. On the other hand, Microsoft’s confirmation regarding a handheld Xbox is more recent, with their Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, confirming its development. However, it seems that both the potential Xbox handheld and PlayStation’s possible handheld are still some years away from hitting the market.

Sony boasts a history in crafting gaming handhelds, such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PS Vita. The PSP enjoyed a fair amount of success, but the Vita faced challenges, with limited first-party support beyond its initial year – a problem that has also been seen with the more recent PlayStation VR2 headset.

Microsoft and Sony are aiming to broaden their user base by venturing further into Cloud gaming. Notably, Microsoft has recently rolled out a long-awaited service that enables Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to play games they’ve purchased using Cloud gaming. However, this program currently only includes access to around 50 games.

As a researcher exploring the gaming landscape, I find myself pondering over the potential hurdles for any handheld consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. The key challenge lies in creating a cohesive ecosystem that resonates with users. If certain games are excluded from play on these devices or if they don’t run optimally, it may result in an experience reminiscent of branded Steam Decks – a collection of games, rather than a seamless and consistent console experience.

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2024-11-25 19:09