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The PlayStation Portal is a handheld gaming accessory for the PlayStation 5, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, first released on November 15, 2023. It is used to stream video games and other media from a PlayStation 5 via the Portal's Wi-Fi connection using Remote Play technology. The Portal is able to control the console using its own built-in screen and DualSense-like controller styled like a handheld game console, although it does not run any games or media natively on its own.

Hardware and technicals

The PlayStation Portal's main hardware features include an 8-inch LCD HD screen and "all of the buttons and features of a DualSense controller". It runs on a Snapdragon 662 system-on-chip. Software-wise it runs on a heavily modified version of Android 13. Unlike the Nintendo Switch or Sony's own previous PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation Portal is not a standalone game console and only functions as a streaming receiver for PlayStation 5. In November 2024, Sony rolled out test versions of the device's software to give cloud gaming access to players with Playstation Plus Premium.

Connectivity

The PlayStation Portal connects to a paired PlayStation 5 through a local area network instead of directly, using the Portal's Wi-Fi connection. The controller commands and video stream are transmitted over the local network, which means that a broadband Internet connection is not required at home other than for authentication purposes or to play online multiplayer games. When outdoors or remote, an Internet connection is required; the Portal itself does not feature 4G/5G cellular connectivity, instead connecting to a Wi-Fi access point elsewhere, which may also include tethering to an existing cell phone's connection.

Due to the lack of a web browser, the PlayStation Portal was initially unable to connect to most public Wi-Fi hotspots which require access to a captive portal for authentication. A system software update rolled out on June 19, 2024, allowing users to connect to these public networks. This was initially limited to the 2.4 GHz radio band, but another firmware update released in July added support for 5 GHz public Wi-Fi networks.

Publications have noted that the quality of the stream, both locally and remote, is highly dependent on the home router, and generally recommend the PlayStation 5 to be hardwired to the router using Ethernet instead of wirelessly.

Development

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024)

The device was announced as Project Q on May 23, 2023.

Reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024)

Following its announcement, there was a degree of doubt about the potential of the device. However, the PlayStation Portal has reportedly been a sales success, becoming the best-selling PS5 accessory in the United States in 2024. Eleven months on from its U.S. launch, an estimated minimum of 420,000 units had been sold in the country.

Hacking

In 2024, security researcher Andy "theflow0" Nguyen announced he was able to hack the PlayStation Portal and run PlayStation Portable games on it through the PPSSPP emulator, posting a picture of the Portal running the PSP release of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

References

1. "PlayStation Portal: Your Pre-Order Guide in UAE".
2. "PlayStation Portal now available in SA – Here's the price". 21 February 2024.
3. "PlayStation Portal ya está disponible en México". July 2024.
4. "Stream PS5 games on the go! Sony PlayStation Portal launching in India on Aug 3: Check price and features".
5. ^ "Details on PS Portal's pricing and release date in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand". PlayStation Blog. 28 July 2024.
6. "PlayStation Portal在台港兩地的發售情報". 29 July 2024.
7. Davis, Wes (2023-07-22). "The Sony Project Q handheld is running Android in a leaked video". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
8. ^ Nelius, Joanna. "PlayStation Portal". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
9. Yang, George. "PlayStation Portal review: A cool handheld for PS5 owners, but its features are limited". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
10. "PlayStation's first Remote Play dedicated device, PlayStation Portal remote player, to launch later this year at $199.99". PlayStation.Blog. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
11. Bonifacic, Igor (24 May 2023). "'Project Q' is a dedicated PS5 streaming device due later this year". Engadget. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
12. Totilo, Stephen (24 May 2023). "PlayStation to release a new streaming handheld Project Q". Axios. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
13. Yang, George. "PlayStation Portal review: A cool handheld for PS5 owners, but its features are limited". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
14. Rory Mellon (2023-12-04). "I took the PlayStation Portal on a trip — and I'll never do it again". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
15. Kan, Michael (24 May 2023). "Sony Teases 'Project Q' Handheld Device That Can Stream PS5 Games". PC Mag. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
16. ^ https://www.notebookcheck.net/PlayStation-Portal-Sony-s-latest-game-streaming-console-is-powered-by-a-mid-range-Qualcomm-SoC.768752.0.html
17. "PlayStation Portal's unexpected success may be enough to reignite Sony's interest in handheld gaming". TechSpot. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
18. Rory Mellon (2023-12-04). "I took the PlayStation Portal on a trip — and I'll never do it again". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
19. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-will-trial-cloud-streaming-for-the-ps5-portal-230817262.html
20. ^ Butler, Sydney (2023-12-13). "Don't Gift a PlayStation Portal Without Reading This". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
21. ^ updated, Rob DwiarContributions from Aleksha McLoughlin last (2023-08-23). "PlayStation Portal release date, price, features, specs, and everything we know". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
22. Wituschek, Joe (2024-06-19). "PlayStation Portal can finally connect to public Wi-Fi networks, but will that work?". BGR. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
23. Square, Push (2024-07-25). "PS Portal Update 3.0.1 Allows Connection to 5GHz Public WiFi, Here Are the Patch Notes". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
24. Benedetto, Antonio G. Di (2023-12-24). "The PlayStation Portal is flawed but fun". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
25. Editor, Richard Leadbetter Technology; Foundry, Digital (2023-11-20). "DF Weekly: PlayStation Portal's quality is reliant on your home network set-up". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2024-10-31. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
26. Hirun Cryer (2023-05-24). "Project Q is PlayStation's dedicated remote gaming device". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
27. Square, Push (2024-05-30). "PS5's Streaming Handheld PS Portal Is Proving a Huge Hit". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
28. Demi Williams (2024-07-09). "PlayStation Portal sales continue to do well as it reportedly becomes the best-selling PS5 accessory in 2024". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
29. Square, Push (2024-10-14). "One Year On, Plucky PS Portal's Sales Remain Strong". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
30. "PS Portal Hack Lets The Handheld Run PSP Games". Kotaku. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
31. Mann, Tobias. "Hackers mod a Sony PlayStation Portal to emulate PSP games". The Register. Retrieved 2024-02-21.

• 2023 in video gaming
• PlayStation 5
• PlayStation 5 accessories
• PlayStation (brand)
• Products introduced in 2023