Sony recently launched PlayStation Portal, its latest handheld gaming console in India. The device features an 8-inch LCD display and two controllers on either side of the screen that resemble Sony's DualSense controller with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
Unlike standalone gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, the PlayStation Portal can't run games, but it does stream all of your PlayStation 5 titles to a 1080p LCD screen at 60fps. Additionally, the PlayStation Portal must be remotely connected to the same Wi-Fi network that your PlayStation 5 is connected to.
This portable remote player also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and can double as a media player by mirroring the PlayStation 5's screen. Launched in other parts of the world in November last year, Sony recommends a Wi-Fi connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps, but the company says you need a connection with a speed of at least 15 Mbps for a better experience.
The PlayStation Portal is powered by a 4,370mAh battery that can be charged using the built-in USB-C port. The device does not support Bluetooth, so you can only use the player's 3.5mm headphone jack. However, the device is compatible with Sony's new headphones that support PlayStation Link.
While you can play games on the PlayStation Portal even when it's not connected to a TV, the device doesn't support cloud gaming services like the company's PlayStation Plus Premium subscription or Nvidia GeForce Now, and you won't be able to stream videos from services like YouTube or Netflix. One thing to note is that you can also stream some PlayStation 4 titles using the PlayStation 5's backwards compatibility feature.
Sony's PlayStation Portal will be available for purchase from August 3 for Rs 18,990 across retail stores like Sony Centres, Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales and online portals like Amazon, Flipkart and Blinkit.
