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

Sony launched the PlayStation Portal again in 2023, and whereas many individuals had 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 12 months, two years after the Portal’s preliminary launch, Sony dropped a game-changing replace that added cloud gaming assist. Which implies 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 enjoying video games natively on a handheld like a Steam Deck or Swap 2, however it makes the Portal way more versatile. And if this newest rumor comes true, I’d lastly be totally satisfied to choose one up.

In accordance with a leak shared on X by leaker Zuby_Tech (by way of Notebookcheck), Sony is likely to 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 fee 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 might make the PlayStation Portal much more attractive.

The leaker additionally said 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 necessary 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 occurring. My guess is that if it had been to occur, it could probably occur later this 12 months, nearer to the vacation season and the discharge of GTA 6, which is certain to deliver numerous consideration to PlayStation.

The PlayStation Portal at present prices $200, so if an OLED mannequin had been to return out, it could 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 just lately to assist begin clearing my backlog of PS5 video games to play, and an OLED mannequin would definitely make enjoying video games on the go so much higher, and with the Portal’s capability to play video games on the cloud now, it could be a strong handheld, regardless of its shortcoming of not having the ability to play video games natively.

That stated, as somebody with numerous nostalgia for the PSP and PSVita period, I actually hope that Sony does someday 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 might change between every now and then. Moreover, with the continued RAM disaster, there is a distinct risk that the PS6, and even the following Xbox, could be delayed as a result of exponential price of RAM as AI information facilities snap up all of the out there provide.