What is Sony PlayStation Portal?

Is this a Sony competitor to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck? Or is it a cloud gaming device like the Logitech G Cloud?

What is PlayStation Portal?

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PlayStation Portal has an 8-inch touchscreen with 1080p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has DualSense-like controls on both sides, so it will feel familiar if you're already a PS5 user.

It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi 5 support, and PS Link compatibility. You can charge its 4,370 mAh battery via the USB-C port, which is enough for about 7 to 9 hours of gaming.

But PlayStation is not a Steam Deck or a Logitech G Cloud competitor. Instead, it is a remote play device that connects to your PlayStation 5 via WiFii and will only stream games installed locally on your console. This is similar to Steam Link, which allows you to play PC games on Android or iPhone via streaming.

So instead of relying on a server farm to stream your games from the cloud, PlayStation Portal will rely on your home network and your PlayStation 5. You need at least a 5Mbps connection to use PlayStation Portal, but Sony recommends 15Mbps for reliability.

Furthermore, you need a PlayStation Network account to use it.

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What can you do with PS Portal?

Because the PlayStation Portal is essentially a DualSense controller with a game streaming screen from the PlayStation 5. It also has features like haptic feedback and responsive triggers - as long as the game you're streaming is compatible with those. that feature.

PlayStation Portal will work best if you use it on the same network that the console is connected to, but as long as you have good Internet speeds for both devices (PlayStation 5 console and PlayStation Portal handheld), you Play any PlayStation title while away from home. However, games that require other accessories, such as PlayStation VR2, will not work with Portal.

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However, one drawback of Portal is that it does not have Bluetooth connectivity. That means your AirPods and other Bluetooth accessories won't work with the device. If you want personal audio, use one of the best wired gaming headsets or a PlayStation Link-compatible audio device, like the Pulse Elite, Explore, or 3D.

It also doesn't have streaming compatibility from external servers, so even with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, you can't stream titles directly to the PlayStation Portal. Instead, you have to install any titles you're interested in on your PlayStation 5 and stream it to the handheld.

Should I buy PlayStation Portal?

If you're a die-hard PlayStation fan and miss your games whenever you're not at home, then PlayStation Portal is for you. With this handheld, you'll essentially be taking your PlayStation 5 with you wherever you go, as long as you have a strong 5G data connection.

However, Portal won't work on slower data connections like 4G, so you'll have to consider that if your area doesn't accommodate that. Furthermore, it doesn't have a browser, so Portal won't work with most public and hotel WiFi infrastructure that requires logging in via a browser.

If you don't want to just stream PS5 games, you're better off buying a smartphone game controller like the GameSir X2s Type-C. That way, you can use it for non-PlayStation services, like Steam and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or even to play AAA games right from your phone. Additionally, these handles cost less than $50.

Micah Soto

Update 01 April 2024