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. Meaning 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 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 Change 2, but it surely makes the Portal much more versatile. And if this newest rumor comes true, I would lastly be absolutely satisfied to select one up.

In line with a leak shared on X by leaker Zuby_Tech (through Notebookcheck), Sony is likely to 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 a better 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 engaging.

The leaker additionally said that the brand new OLED mannequin may very well 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 any case, 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 any case, so there isn’t a official affirmation that that is really occurring. My guess is that if it had been to occur, it could possible occur later this yr, nearer to the vacation season and the discharge of GTA 6, which is bound to convey a number of consideration to PlayStation.

The PlayStation Portal presently prices $200, so if an OLED mannequin had 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 not too long ago to assist begin clearing my backlog of PS5 video games to play, and an OLED mannequin will surely make enjoying video games on the go loads higher, and with the Portal’s capacity to play video games on the cloud now, it could be a stable handheld, regardless of its shortcoming of not with the ability to play video games natively.

That stated, as somebody with a number of nostalgia for the PSP and PSVita period, I actually hope that Sony does someday launch a PlayStation handheld that may really 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 possible years away from seeing the sunshine of day, and loads may change between every now and then. 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 value of RAM as AI knowledge facilities snap up all of the out there provide.