PlayStation's new console has an awful battery life, insiders claim

Fans are still making fun of Sony’s latest PlayStation console, which reportedly has an awfully short battery life according to industry insiders.

PlayStation’s latest console, currently called Project Q, was announced towards the end of the recent PlayStation Showcase, which revealed a number of new titles set to release on PS5 and PS4, like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, as well as brand new IPs, like Phantom Blade Zero.

Project Q is essentially a portable PlayStation 5, that’s a bit more Wii U than Nintendo Switch. The handheld cannot be played independently from the PS5 system, as it streams whatever is currently playing on the console, and as such, needs to be connected to the same internet connection.

This has led to many fans questioning the point of its existence, as well as relentlessly mocking it for its design and functionality. To make matters worse, an industry insider believes the accessory’s battery life is absolutely pitiful, with only 3-4 hours of playtime between charges.

Insider Tom Henderson, recently discussed Sony’s cloud-streaming console in a new report, featuring a previously undisclosed detail about the poor battery life. For comparison, a Wii U gamepad could last between 3-5 hours, and a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode can last 4.5-9 hours between charges.

Henderson believes the battery life could prove detrimental to the console’s success, as its existence is already questionable at best since its only real purpose is for people that want to play their PS5 in a different room. The price is also believed to be a factor in its success, with Henderson believing $200 to be a fair price that could insight some sales. However, many believe Project Q will follow the typical trend of overpricing new products, which proved damaging to sales of PlayStation VR2, which cost more than the console it was made for.

Project Q will reportedly release later this year, with PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan telling audiences that more information will follow in the months after the PlayStation Showcase.