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 dwelling 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 help. 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 Change 2, however it makes the Portal way more versatile. And if this newest rumor comes true, I would lastly be absolutely satisfied to select one up.

In keeping 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 screen. The present mannequin has a 1080p LCD display screen at 60Hz, so an OLED improve with the next refresh charge could be a serious step up. OLED panels provide deeper blacks, higher distinction, and extra correct colours, making video games actually pop — and that alone may make the PlayStation Portal much more attractive.

The leaker additionally acknowledged that the brand new OLED mannequin might be referred to 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 screen is thrilling, it is vital to notice that it is a leak in spite of everything, so there isn’t any official affirmation that that is truly taking place. My guess is that if it have been to occur, it could probably occur later this yr, nearer to the vacation season and the discharge of GTA 6, which is bound to deliver a variety of consideration to PlayStation.

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

Personally, I actually hope this leak comes true, as I have been tempted to select up a PlayStation Portal lately 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 quite a bit higher, and with the Portal’s means to play video games on the cloud now, it could be a strong handheld, regardless of its shortcoming of not with the ability to play video games natively.

That mentioned, as somebody with a variety of nostalgia for the PSP and PSVita period, I actually hope that Sony does in the future 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 quite a bit may change between from time to time. Moreover, with the continuing RAM disaster, there is a distinct chance that the PS6, and even the following Xbox, could be delayed as a result of exponential value of RAM as AI knowledge facilities snap up all of the accessible provide.