Revealed earlier this year, Sony has confirmed the name of its handheld streaming device: PlayStation Portal. It is set to launch later this year at $199.99 USD and features an 8-inch LCD screen that is capable of 1080p resolution, at 60fps. It includes all the key features of the DualSense wireless controller, including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, allowing players to enjoy their PlayStation 5 away from their TV.
PlayStation is being very careful with its wording when describing the product, saying that it “is the perfect device for gamers in households where they might need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house.” Specifically, PlayStation isn’t marketing the Portal as a device you can take on the go and enjoy, which is strange because PS Remote Play already exists. It’s likely performance only works well when the PlayStation Portal is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the PlayStation 5. Sony also recommends that the PlayStation 5 is connected to the router through a wired ethernet connection. It seems that the PlayStation Portal really does have a limited use case.
Another aspect that isn’t mentioned about the PlayStation Portal is its battery life. With a 1080p screen and all the features of a DualSense wireless controller, it’s likely not going to be a very impressive figure.
Along with announcing pricing for the PlayStation Portal, Sony also announced the Pulse Elite wireless headset ($149.99 USD) and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds ($199.99 USD). The Pulse Elite is a new wireless headset that offers lossless audio and includes a retractable boom mic and AI-enhanced noise rejection that can filter background noises. What’s nice about the Pulse Elite is that it includes a charging hanger that can be used as both a charging and storage option. The Pulse Explore is PlayStation’s first set of wireless earbuds, promising to deliver a premium portable audio experience with dual microphones and AI-enhanced noise rejection.
Both of these new wireless audio accessories can connect directly to the PlayStation Portal with new wireless audio technology called PlayStation Link. Sony says it delivers low latency, lossless audio, and easy switching between multiple PlayStation Link hosts, such as the PlayStation 5 with the USB adapter and the PlayStation Portal.
