Sony may be gearing up to re-enter the handheld gaming market, with reports suggesting the company is in the early stages of developing a new device to compete with the Nintendo Switch. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the Japanese tech giant is exploring a portable console concept that would allow gamers to enjoy PlayStation 5 (PS5) titles on the go.
The potential device builds on the design of the PlayStation Portal, Sony’s eight-inch screen gadget released last year, which streams compatible PS5 games over the internet. However, the new console could take the experience further, possibly incorporating more robust features to directly rival Nintendo’s hybrid console and Microsoft’s rumored handheld prototypes.
Sony is no stranger to portable gaming, having introduced the iconic PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2004 and its successor, the PS Vita, in 2011. While both consoles enjoyed critical acclaim, they struggled to maintain a foothold against competing platforms.
Though the project remains in its infancy, sources close to the matter caution that it could be years before the device sees a launch—or that it may never materialize at all.
If realized, Sony’s handheld would face stiff competition from the Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 129 million units since its 2017 debut, and Microsoft’s rumored entry into the portable gaming market.
Gamers eager for the next innovation in handheld gaming will have to wait for more concrete announcements from Sony. Until then, the possibilities remain intriguing.
