The handheld boom continues. After Valve was able to tempt several million PC gamers to buy the Steam Deck after the launch last year, the Japanese gaming giant Sony is now following suit and more than a decade after the debut of the PS Vita has launched its new PlayStation handheld Console being developed under the codename “Project Q” as part of a showcases officially unveiled.
Unlike the aforementioned Steam Deck, however, Sony is pursuing a different concept with the PlayStation handheld. Instead of playing games natively on the Project Q, the device connects to a PS5 via WiFi and can therefore also play the latest titles via stream. Something similar is already possible with the official PlayStation app via smartphones or tablets. Sony explicitly states that the games must be installed on a local PS5, but there is no talk of cloud streaming in connection with a corresponding PS Plus subscription. Also VR titles cannot be streamed to the handheld console.
From a technical point of view, Project Q is equipped with an 8-inch LCD screen with Full HD resolution, and the handheld should also offer all the functions of the DualSense controller for the PS5, including, for example, the adaptive triggers and the high-quality haptic feedback. The game streams are said to be played at a maximum of 60 frames per second, while the PS5 (from 450 euros at Amazon) even reaches up to 120 fps with some titles. The new PlayStation console is expected to be launched later this year, but no price has been given yet. However, since the device does not require nearly as much computing power as the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally, it should probably also be significantly cheaper than the slightly differently designed handheld competition.
The technology virus caught me at a young age, when I took my first steps in the PC field in the Pentium II era. Since then, modding, overclocking and the meticulous care of my hardware have simply been a part of it for me. During my studies, I also developed a special interest in mobile technologies, which can make the stressful everyday student life much easier. After I found my love for creating web content while working in marketing, I now set out as an editor at Notebookcheck in search of the most exciting topics from the fascinating world of technology. Outside of the office, I have a particular passion for motorsport and mountain biking.