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My very first handheld after Playdate

I was supposed to buy PlayStation Portal at launch, back in November 2023, but they were sold out immediately. After that, I’ve been waiting for the next batch and now they have arrived, and I finally got one. I’ve been playing and testing PlayStation Portal for a week, using it at home and outside. Here is everything I learned.

How portal is it?

PlayStation Portal isn’t a console; it’s a streaming device for your PS5. Meaning it needs a strong internet connection to work at its full potential. When I first launched this device at home it worked like a charm. The inputs had very little latency, nearly unnoticeably so, well, I have fast internet connection and I just got a new modem (as my older one died). Using PlayStation Portal outside of your home is also a good experience; only if you have a good internet connection. I used shopping mall’s free internet and it did work well. But somehow it does cut the internet connection after playing about 10 minutes. I thought it must be the shopping mall’s settings, that nobody can overuse the free internet, since streaming your gameplay from PS5 at home takes a lot of data.

I switched to my mobile phones internet and it worked like a charm, just like at home. There are some dips at the connection, that might make the gameplay choppy and laggy. I did play Resident Evil 7 (PS5 version) and it did work just fine. I also wanted to try some other games like Astro’s Playroom which worked OK (connection-wise) but there were some issues with the controls themselves. Such as the Dual Sense’s touchpad is on the touchscreen in the PS Portal, which didn’t register my inputs fast or well enough, making me not be able to finish one level.

I also wanted to try some games that needs fast inputs such as Sayonara Wild Hearts and I quickly learned that it was little bit difficult to play the game. The slight lag with the inputs comes to play in this game that needs very quick movements. Not to mention the occasional dip with the connection which wouldn’t matter much in many other games but in games like Sayonara Wild Hearts it is crucial.

You should also notice that PlayStation Portal does not have a bluetooth, so if you want to use headphones, you’ll need wired connection (3,5 mm jack). That is a HUGE misstep from Sony’s part, I mean, everything have a bluetooth connection nowadays. I’m sure it must been for two reasons. First, they wanted to scrape all the extra costs out of the PS Portal to get the price as low as possible. Secondly, Sony has their own new wireless technology called PlayStation Link that is extremely high quality and fast. And if you already didn’t know, PlayStation Portal is PlayStation Link ready. I personally don’t own anything with PlayStation Link, but that is my next purchase in the list. For example, the PS Link earbuds (PULSE Explore wireless earbuds) costs around 240€ ($260), so they’re not cheap.

Screen, speakers, battery and controller

PlayStation Portal’s LCD touch screen is sharp and bright. I did like all the vivid colours, but there is a little annoying gloss on the surface that might bother some. The screen is 8 inches and Full HD/60fps (1920×1080). If I have understand correctly this is the only way to stream PS5 Full HD as using Remote Play such in tablets or phones allows to use maximum resolution of 720p.

PS Portal has two speakers on the top of the device which, well, I would’ve liked them to be in front, facing the user. Even so, the speakers does work well and the audio is loud and clear.

The battery takes about 2 hours to charge from 0% to 100% and it lasts around 4 hours on maximum settings and if you turn off, for example, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers and not playing with the brightest screen the battery might last up to 6 hours (minimum settings). Also the game you’re playing might play a part with the battery life.

The controller is very close to the original Dual Sense controller, but in PS Portal the joysticks are smaller. First it felt little bit odd to use them, but I got used to them quickly. As in the Dual Sense, PS Portal also has adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, motion sensor, touchpad and microphone. So everything is as in the PS5 controller. The only difference really is the touchpad that is in the screen, which is a touch screen.

I think the controllers worked just as in the Dual Sense, I didn’t see any difference really, they even had the same odd clicking noise that the adaptive triggers does. (Quickly searching; the adaptive triggers might do clicking sound as they engage/disengage. It seems to be normal.)

Final Verdict

PlayStation Portal is a good device, but to be quite honest I should’ve payed around 199€ for it, because it seems to be kind of barebone (I payed €249). The only thing that bothers me most is the lack of basic bluetooth connection. If you want to play PS5 on the go or your TV is always occupied, well, you have now PS Portal to go with.

PlayStation Portal is available for 219€, $199 and £199.

SCORE:

4/5

“PlayStation Portal isn’t a console; it’s a streaming device for your PS5”

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2023
GENRE: Portable
DEVELOPER: Sony
PUBLISHER: Sony
PLATFORMS: PS5

 

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