In new reports, Bloomberg has claimed that Sony's next handheld console could be in prototype stage.
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| Sony's Next Handheld Console Could Be In Prototype Stage |
Almost two decades ago, Sony launched one of its most successful handheld consoles: PlayStation Portable. The device sold over 80 million units, about half of the best-selling console of all time.
However, Sony took a hit with the PS Vita, which sold only around 20 percent of the numbers of PlayStation Portable. The company was forced to discontinue it in 2019, but it seems that it is ready to re-enter the handheld console scene with what could be a portable PlayStation 5.
Bloomberg reported that Sony is in the "early stages of developing a portable console that would play its PlayStation 5 games" remotely. Digital Foundry has corroborated this claim.
Digital Foundry corroborates Bloomberg's claim of a future portable console by Sony
Digital Foundry uploaded a video on YouTube on Monday that discussed the Bloomberg report, the content of which they had allegedly gotten wind of "months ago." But John Linneman, Digital Foundry's host, said they had desisted from leaking this information because it was not their way of doing things.
However, he was delighted when the report came out, confirming what he already knew. According to Digital Foundry, Bloomberg is onto something real and Sony is working hard to make a handheld device-cum-home console a possibility. Linneman even went so far as to say that working prototypes have already been created by the company.
Now, we don't know much about this alleged PlayStation handheld console, but whatever form it takes, it will change the game for Sony. Given a solid gaming experience, it could become a competitor to Nintendo Switch, and on the other hand, it would counter Microsoft's efforts to increase its foothold in mobile gaming.
The foundation of this device is the PlayStation Portal which is an 8-inch device created in 2023 to allow streaming of PS5 games. However, Sony intends to take this idea further by injecting the device with the ability to play PS5 titles without any internet connection.
Elsewhere, Sony is celebrating the 30th anniversary of PlayStation's release by posting a video on social media. Does this look like Sony's unofficial confirmation of its next portable PlayStation console?