Sony Launches New PS Portal Model in Japan With Internal Storage for 'Future Functionality,' Changes Official Name

Sony is set to release a new version of the PlayStation Portal in Japan next month. This updated model stands out from its predecessor due to its internal storage, suggesting that Sony may be planning to enhance the handheld's capabilities in the future. According to Sony Japan's official blog post, the new model has been designed with "future functionality" in mind, though specific details about these potential new features will only be revealed once they are finalized.

The PlayStation Portal first emerged in 2023, boasting a design reminiscent of a luxury version of a PlayStation controller with a central HD screen. Initially, it was intended as a means to play PS5 games on the go, although this remote play feature necessitated streaming games from the PS5 over Wi-Fi. In a recent official Playstation blog post, Sony highlighted that the Portal now enables "players who don't have a PS5" to enjoy PS5 games by streaming them from the cloud.

In response to this new model release, Sony has also rebranded the handheld in Japan, changing its full Japanese name from "Playstation Portal Remote Player" to "PlayStation Portal Player." This shift in naming implies that the company is transitioning the Portal from being perceived as an accessory that streams content from a PS5 console through Remote Play, towards a more self-sufficient handheld device.

The new model might also serve as a testing ground for Sony's upcoming PS6, which is rumored to incorporate handheld functionality.

Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino has previously hinted at the company's vision for the future of console experiences, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technologies that can be applied across various forms and locations. This vision extends beyond the traditional association of PlayStation being played on a TV in the living room. Rumors from October also suggested that Sony might have secured exclusive access to AMD's next-generation graphics technology for a new handheld device.

The new PS Portal is scheduled for release in Japan on December 10 and can currently be preordered starting November 13 at the same price as the existing model (39,980 yen). However, it is important to note that this model will only be available in Japanese language and requires a Japanese PSN account. Whether this new model will be made available in other countries and regions remains to be seen.