PlayStation Portal Review: Successful handheld or absolute failure?

[@LFXGaming]

I just wished that Sony would release an actual handheld console, not this Excuse For One. It would be literally impossible for someone like me to even play this in my house, let alone outside. Here in the UK, average internet speed are waaaaay lower than what you got in a coffee shop. I get 5MB/s in my room, which Means I'd Have To Sit Right Next to the Router For A Chance At a stable connection, whats the point at that stage. Even in fast areas I've only ever gotten 20-25MB/s max in my life. On Hotspot or anywhere outside forget it. For the price, people are better off getting a Used Switch, Deck Or Vita, Cloud Gaming Is Still a Few Decades Off being Usable Imho.

[@GameXData]

That's totally valid, and I appreciate you sharing that different perspective. The viability of streaming (in general) tends to be very location-specific due to its correlation with reliable internet access. Even here in the US, folks in rural areas are not going to get the best use out of streaming services. I'm lucky enough to live in an area where my Portal is essentially a handheld PS5, but, for you, I agree with the sentiment to focus on systems that play games locally. I will add though that cloud gaming (and streaming in general) doesn't take as fast internet speeds as you might think. I've been messing with local and cloud streaming quite a bit over the past few years and it's been surprising to see how poor my internet speeds could get while maintaining a viable connection. For this review, the slowest viable connection I recorded was at around 33 mbps down and 17 mbps up on public Wi-Fi, while I've had cloud streaming remain stable at below 15 mbps down (over 4G) in the past. (Stadia was especially good at lower speeds.) So, you may not be as far off as you think; it's more so how fast infrastructure in your area has a desire to improve.

[@Nerdexotic]

Question would this work as the "second monitor" using your fold on top and these as the controls so you basically use it as a USB-C display and controller?

[@GameXData]

Portals don't have display out functionality and don't work with most USB-C peripherals. If you're looking for a dual screen setup you're best off using a Steam Deck or Windows handheld.

[@ItsEricSmart]

Great Video as always!

[@STR82DVD]

Sorry man but honestly, Sony has lost the plot.

[@LazypunK07]

well said. ps portal is a trash empty device

[@STR82DVD]

@@LazypunK07 Agreed. The whole device is a huge "WTF?"

[@LazypunK07]

@@STR82DVD agreed. consumer wise, steam deck, rog, legion go, or even android can stream PS5 yet it can run games on its own w/o depending on internet.

[@ElmoPlayss]

Playstation Portal is NOT a handheld and it should NOT be called one. It's just a PS5 controller with a screen instead of touch pad..

[@GameXData]

It's a handheld accessory for the PS5. I don't know what else you'd call it...?

[@gabrielepetroni7333]

I think it's safe to say that the Portal it's a disappointment. The Switch is a clear example of what Sony could have been working on or at least being inspired from, in these years. Everything is terrible from the concept to the design, they didn't even bother to give it personality, they just split in half a regular controller and stuck a screen between the two halves. You're paying 200€+ for a device that you're going to use 99% of the times at home, where you supposedly (well, you must) have a PS5 already connected and ready to use. It's a matter of using your PS5 while laying on bed, implying the screen you already use for the console doesn't reach you enough. I bet the same device with home-made pieces can be recreated for muuuuch cheaper. And this rant comes from someone that hoped until the very last day the Vita could somehow get back on track. It was way ahead of its time, with an OLED screen and some hidden gems (Gravity Rush, Killzone Mercenaries..). They're two different devices with two different purposes, but yet that's what Sony had to offer after all these years. All I see is an uninspired cash grab gimmick.

[@GameXData]

I'm not sure that's an entirely fair summation of the Portal overall. The design honestly feels very functional and good to use for long play sessions, and the materials are premium enough to justify the price. It's clear that Sony was aiming for a device that could highlight their continued push into streaming, and they made a device that could do it better than any other handheld device currently on the market. You may not be part of the target audience that can make use of the device, but plenty folks (myself included) have a strong use case for a device like the Portal even in the same room as our PS5 (since we don't always have access to our TVs). I can also understand the want for another handheld PlayStation, but that's not this device. Based on Sony's track record, they'd likely be hesitant to create another new handheld platform and would be unable to offer a handheld PS5 at a competitive price without splitting their userbase. For something like the Portal, it's better to treat it as the optional accessory it is, rather than bemoan its inability to transform into a completely different type of device.

[@citizenterra]

Yeah, this is just sad. I mean cant you do the same with a tablet and an Xbox controller? I mean don't get me wrong I love the screen size and controller idea...but Its just a mostly useless device at that price point if it can't do standalone well or at all. Plus not every one has a great net connection and it will be useless while traveling. I don't know i think its a floppy flop

[@GameXData]

From personal experience, the gameplay experience when streaming to a tablet with any controller is a lot different than playing on the Portal. (I'm editing that video right now.) The price point actually isn't terrible if you take a moment to consider the components and build quality. Especially in the handheld market, there are plenty of much smaller handhelds for around $200 that don't have as nice displays or controls. Still, I don't think anyone's under the illusion that it's not a luxury purchase for folks looking for a premium PS5 accessory. As for internet access, I see it as a non-factor. Streaming itself doesn't require the best quality internet access available, and traveling's only been a matter of having a smartphone on-hand to tether. While some sort of local gameplay would be neat if I didn't have internet access, that's not really the purpose of the device. Plus, folks who know they don't have good home internet wouldn't be looking to buy a streaming-centric gaming handheld anyway. They're not the target audience for this device.

[@OcelotCharlotte]

I've tried using my laptop and my iPad for Remote Play in the past, and in both cases the experience was... meh; the resolution kept dropping and the gameplay stuttered more often than I liked. The PS Portal pleasantly surprised me in this way as well, because streaming is somehow much smoother and video quality is better as well :))