PlayStation's new console has already split fans on the price

Sony recently announced the pricing and spec details for its upcoming PlayStation handheld device and fans are unhappy.

Previously known as Project Q, the PlayStation Portal should be a time of celebration for Sony fans, but that’s far from the truth. Fans have been calling on Sony to release a new handheld console following the demise of the criminally underrated PS Vita.

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The PlayStation Portal has an 8-inch LCD screen that is capable of performing at 1080p at 60fps. While this might not be glorious 4K, 1080p on a condensed 8-inch LCD screen should look gorgeous especially when playing God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part I. What’s more, the RRP of £199.99/$199.99 should be a reasonable cost for a handheld console that can play PS5 games or is it?

So what’s the issue, I hear you ask? The problem is, that the PlayStation Portal is not a standalone handheld console similar to the PS Vita or Nintendo Switch Lite. It’s a streaming device that has DualSense features.

What’s more, with it being a streaming device, it relies on being connected to your PlayStation console with a stable Wi-Fi connection. This means that playing this handheld device on the go is a no-no. The price is more unreasonable to some when you consider that you can already stream Xbox and PlayStation games to compatible mobile devices aided by fantastic accessories such as the Turtle Beach Atom at a fraction of the price.

In defence of the PlayStation Portal, it is likely to provide a more seamless experience when using Remote Play in comparison to using an Android or iOS device. Yet, gamers on Reddit have been voicing their displeasure towards the cost of Sony’s new toy.

“I just can’t justify the $200 bucks when I can use Remote Play on my iPad and use my DualSense with it and it works pretty well 90% of the time,” said CaptJaxSilver. What’s more, gamers are also concerned that, at least at the time of writing, the PlayStation Portal isn't compatible with the PS Plus cloud streaming feature. “No PS+ cloud streaming on the new handheld? What a missed opportunity,” exclaimed Fullbryte.

It gets worse too, because the PlayStation Portal doesn't have Bluetooth, meaning that you won't be able to connect your current wireless headset to the device. “Sony didn't include Bluetooth in this device, so the audio is locked into the new Sony Link technology. Only two wireless headphones utilise this technology and both are brand new and expensive,” said a frustrated EarlGrey_Picard.

At the time of writing, the only two known audio accessories compatible with the PlayStation Portal are Sony’s new Pulse Elite Headset and Pulse Explore earbuds which have RRPs of £129.99/$149.99 and £199.99/$199.99, respectively.

The PlayStation Portal, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore do not have a release date yet, but they are scheduled to launch later this year. Pre-orders are expected to go live very soon.