Sony’s PlayStation Portal handheld is evolving. A new update removes a key restriction: users can now stream PS5 games via the cloud without needing a powered-on console, as long as they have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. This change significantly alters the device’s position, shifting it from a mere accessory to a more standalone gaming platform.
Streaming Without Limits
Previously, the Portal supported cloud streaming only for select older titles through PlayStation Plus and local streaming from a synced PS5. The update expands this to include a wider library of owned PS5 games, accessible directly via cloud streaming. This means players can access their digital PS5 library on the go without their home console needing to be active. The interface will be updated to clearly display which titles are streamable.
However, accessing this functionality requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, priced at $18/month or $160/year.
How It Compares
The Portal and PS5 remain the only platforms with native PS5 cloud streaming. Phones and tablets can remote-play from a PS5 via an app, but the Portal offers a more console-like experience. The Portal’s unique advantage lies in its DualSense controller features: adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, unavailable on other mobile solutions. The update also adds 3D audio support for enhanced immersion with headphones.
Crucially, the Portal remains a streaming-only device. It cannot play downloaded games offline.
The Future of Sony Handhelds?
The Portal’s development raises questions about Sony’s long-term strategy for handheld gaming. The company discontinued the PSP and PS Vita years ago, seemingly abandoning the standalone handheld market. But the Portal’s trajectory suggests a potential shift.
According to Takuro Fushimi, Sony’s PlayStation senior manager, the Portal is intended as a “complementary device” to the PS5. However, the device is already Sony’s top choice for streaming PS5 games, surpassing phones and tablets in usage.
When asked about a potential standalone successor to the PSP or Vita, Fushimi stated that Sony continues to explore handhelds through streaming and remote play. This suggests that while a full-fledged new handheld isn’t currently in development, the company is open to expanding its handheld offerings via cloud-based solutions.
The PlayStation Portal’s evolution underscores a growing trend in gaming: the blurring lines between consoles and portable devices. While not yet a standalone system, this update brings Sony’s handheld closer to independence, hinting at a possible future where PlayStation gaming isn’t tied to a home console.
