The PlayStation Portal could be getting an enormous improve, if this rumor is true

Sony launched the PlayStation Portal again in 2023, and whereas many individuals have been excited that the corporate was lastly getting again into gaming handhelds, it got here with one main limitation: it is a distant participant. Which means to play video games on it, you wanted each an web connection and a PS5 at residence to stream video games from.

However late final yr, two years after the Portal’s preliminary launch, Sony dropped a game-changing replace that added cloud gaming assist. Which signifies that, with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, now you can stream video games on to the Portal with out counting on a PS5. It is nonetheless not the identical as taking part in video games natively on a handheld like a Steam Deck or Swap 2, but it surely makes the Portal way more versatile. And if this newest rumor comes true, I’d lastly be totally satisfied to choose one up.

In line with a leak shared on X by leaker Zuby_Tech (by way of Notebookcheck), Sony could be planning to launch a refreshed PlayStation Portal mannequin with a 120Hz OLED display. The present mannequin has a 1080p LCD display at 60Hz, so an OLED improve with the next refresh price can be a significant step up. OLED panels supply deeper blacks, higher distinction, and extra correct colours, making video games actually pop — and that alone may make the PlayStation Portal much more engaging.

The leaker additionally acknowledged that the brand new OLED mannequin may very well be known as the PlayStation Portal Professional, however they didn’t point out a possible launch date or pricing.

I hope this seems to be true

It is only a leak in spite of everything, so take it with a grain of salt

Whereas the opportunity of the PlayStation Portal getting a refresh with a 120Hz OLED display is thrilling, it is essential to notice that this can be a leak in spite of everything, so there is no such thing as a official affirmation that that is truly taking place. My guess is that if it have been to occur, it will probably occur later this yr, nearer to the vacation season and the discharge of GTA 6, which is bound to deliver loads of consideration to PlayStation.

The PlayStation Portal at present prices $200, so if an OLED mannequin have been to return out, it will presumably price fairly a bit extra, because the Nintendo Swap OLED did when it launched again in 2021 as an OLED refresh to the unique LCD Nintendo Swap.

Personally, I actually hope this leak comes true, as I have been tempted to choose up a PlayStation Portal not too long ago to assist begin clearing my backlog of PS5 video games to play, and an OLED mannequin would definitely make taking part in video games on the go so much higher, and with the Portal’s capacity to play video games on the cloud now, it will be a stable handheld, regardless of its shortcoming of not having the ability to play video games natively.

That mentioned, as somebody with loads of nostalgia for the PSP and PSVita period, I actually hope that Sony does sooner or later launch a PlayStation handheld that may truly play video games natively once more, with out counting on distant play or streaming. There are rumors that Sony is engaged on two new consoles proper now, a handheld and a PS6, however each of these are nonetheless probably years away from seeing the sunshine of day, and so much may change between from time to time. Moreover, with the continuing RAM disaster, there is a distinct chance that the PS6, and even the subsequent Xbox, could be delayed because of the exponential price of RAM as AI knowledge facilities snap up all of the obtainable provide.