Fariha Bhatti 
Sony is reportedly returning to the portable gaming market with a product that would rival the Nintendo Switch and its successor.
The portable console market is littered with options, but when it comes to flagship products, fans often opt for either the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. Many new competitors have tried to break into the market, but it appears the two popular consoles have earned a loyal fanbase that swears by their features and performance. However, Bloomberg is reporting that Sony is working on a Nintendo Switch rival.
According to the report, Sony’s upcoming portable console will allow players to enjoy the entire PlayStation 5 game library on the go, aiming to deliver an experience comparable to that of the Nintendo Switch.
Will Sony’s portable console have better specs than the Switch?
If it targets PS5 games, Sony’s leaked portable console will have much higher specs than the Switch.
It’s tough to make any claims since Sony hasn’t revealed anything about the rumored console. In fact, the company has even declined to comment on its existence. According to the original report, the PlayStation maker may even “decide against bringing it to market.” However, the supposed console will compete with Nintendo Switch in terms of portability and performance.
Sony’s most recent portable console product is PlayStation Portal, which is an excellent pick for at-home gamers who already own a PlayStation 5. However, it is primarily a remote-play device for streaming games from a PlayStation 5 and requires an active PS5 and stable internet to function. Since it doesn’t run games natively, it can not be compared to Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
This rumored console, however, is supposed to run PlayStation 5 games without relying on a network. It’s a standalone product, which means it will have its own PlayStation 5 game library, allowing for boosted mobility.
Despite not being a standalone device, the PlayStation Portal has gained popularity among handheld gamers for its performance, with some preferring it over the Nintendo Switch for AAA titles on PS5. The Switch maintains an edge as a fully independent console, but if Sony develops a standalone handheld, it could potentially rival the Switch in popularity.
Currently, nothing is known about this handheld device, except that it is reportedly under development. Whether Sony will continue to work on it or decide to shelve the project remains to be seen.
The company previously launched the PlayStation Vita, which was discontinued in 2019 due to lackluster sales and limited third-party support. However, with companies like Microsoft showing interest in the handheld market, Sony may be motivated to reenter the space with a more competitive offering.
