Summary
A reliable source has indicated that Sony is closely monitoring the current handheld gaming console space, possibly for a new portablePlayStationconsole in the future. After the discontinuation of the commercially unsuccessfulPlayStationVita in 2019, Sony has largely distanced itself from the dedicated handheld console market for several years, but that may change in the coming years.
The handheld console space is the strongest it’s ever been due to the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck in recent years. Hardware manufacturers like Asus, MSI, Lenovo, and more have also jumped on the bandwagon to capitalize on handhelds, with even major platform holderXbox rumored to have a handheld console in the works. Given Sony was a huge player in the handheld market, the company has been conspicuously absent during this period of intense growth. It did release the PlayStation Portal in 2023, but it only works as a Remote Play accessory for the PS5 rather than a standalone console.
Despite its limited functionality, though, thePlayStation Portal turned out to be a big hit, proving that there’s still an immense latent demand for PlayStation handhelds. Credible industry insider Tom Henderson alleged in a recent tweet that Sony is “paying very close attention” to the current handheld console market in the wake of the PlayStation Portal’s unexpected success. Although this doesn’t confirm a new PlayStation handheld, Sony’s reinvigorated interest in the market might bring glad tidings for fans who have been waiting for the same since the Vita was discontinued half a decade ago.
The PlayStation Portal’s Success May Encourage Sony to Release a New Handheld
Regardless, it doesn’t sound too inconceivable that Sony’s R&D teams would be toying around internally with cutting-edge handheld console prototypes. A few months ago, the company published acloud gaming patent that seemingly hinted at a new PlayStation handheld, possibly validating the aforementioned rumors. However, not all patents end up as consumer products and not all rumors pan out, so until Sony confirms these supposed plans for a PlayStation handheld, they should be taken with a big grain of salt.
