A new rumor indicates that the PlayStation Portal could get the ability to stream games without the PS5 turned on in the future. This would certainly be a game-changer for the popular handheld accessory, as PlayStation Portal users still need the console to use it.

PlayStation Portal remote player in midnight black

Released in 2023, the PlayStation Portal has been a fairly popular accessory for the PS5. The device can be used to stream games or other media from the PlayStation 5 using the Remote Play technology, featuring an 8-inch LCD HD screen and controls with mostly the same features as a DualSense. Overall, the PlayStation Portal was fairly well received, and around 5% of all PS5 owners bought one in the United States.

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Rumored Update Could Allow PS Portal to Stream Games Without Turning On PS5

A new rumor surfaced recently, as fans shared pictures from some PS Store’s game pages showing a statement that players could “Pre-order to stream and play instantly at release on PS Portal or PS5 (only with PS Plus Premium).” This led to some speculation that Sony could be planning an update where gamers will be able to directly stream pre-ordered and purchased games from the PS Store to the PS Portal. If confirmed, this rumor could be huge news for PS Portal owners, as they would be able to play their favorite PlayStation 5 games without ever needing to turn on the console. However, this is just speculation at this point, and should obviously be taken with a grain of salt.

While it’s still early to tell if this major upgrade is happening, Sony has at least already put out multiple PS Portal updates this year. Back in April, for example, a PS Portal system update introduced new features such as more sorting options for the player’s library and on-the-fly gameplay capture to the popular device, improving the experience of using the handheld.

ps-portal-could-receive-update

It remains to be seen what the future of the PlayStation handheld accessory will look like, but the PlayStation Portal was certainly a big hit. Considering the high $200 price tag of the accessory, some expected that the device would not be as popular as it ended up being, as even Sony admitted that the PS Portal exceeded its internal sales projections. In case this rumored update does end up happening, there’s a fairly decent chance that it could boost the device’s sales even more, as more gamers could be interested in a cloud-based handheld that would allow them even more freedom to play.

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playstation-portal
Display card main info widget
Playing Time
6-8 hours
Brand
PlayStation
Weight
529g
Headset Compatibility
3.5mm, PlayStation Link
Display
8-inch LCD
Output resolution
1080p
Display card main info widget end

While not exactly a PSP successor, the PlayStation Portal solves an age-old issue of having to share one TV in a household. This remote play device allows users to stream whatever is happening on their PlayStation 5's directly to the large 8-inch 1080p LCD screen. What makes the PlayStation Portal unique is that it comes packed with all the advanced technology of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. One downside is that it doesn't feature Bluetooth support for wireless audio, but it does work with the PlayStation Pulse earbuds and headset, while also sporting a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio. 

Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Release Date
November 15, 2023

Source: Push Square