Recent reports suggest that Sony is working on a new handheld gaming device, codenamed Q-Lite, which could provide PlayStation fans with another option for gaming on the go. While various new handheld devices boosted portable gaming last year, Sony’s Q-Lite is said to be designed for remote play of PS5 games, rather than as a standalone platform with exclusive games.
According to a post from Insider Gaming on Wednesday (05/04/2023), rumors of Sony’s new handheld have been circulating this week, but the Japanese company has not yet responded to requests for comments. Jeff Grubb, a reporter for Giant Bomb, tweeted about a cloud gaming device that he referred to as the “Vita 2,” indicating that it could be a successor to Sony’s last handheld, the PS Vita.
I am traveling to Super Nintendo World, but I see the reports about a potential Vita 2, and I would definitely scope down those expectations. I've only ever heard about a cloud-streaming handheld.
— Grubb (@JeffGrubb) April 4, 2023
The handheld gaming industry has seen a resurgence lately, thanks in part to the release of Valve’s Steam Deck and the continued success of the Nintendo Switch. Both handheld consoles offer powerful hardware for playing games and access to cloud gaming, allowing players to enjoy high-end games with just a reliable internet connection. Other companies, such as Asus, Logitech, and Razer, have also jumped into the competition with their own handheld gaming devices.
Sony’s last foray into the handheld gaming market was with the PlayStation Vita (which was released way back in 2012) and enjoyed a seven-year run before production ceased in 2019 with no plans for a successor. However, recent rumors suggest that Sony may be developing a new handheld device for PlayStation fans.
Unlike previous PlayStation handhelds, the new device is said to focus on the remote play of PS5 games rather than having its own library of exclusive games. By incorporating all the functions of the PlayStation DualSense controller, a new PlayStation handheld could offer an optimized gaming experience for owners, which may be more convenient than playing on laptops, computers, or phones. What do you think of Sony’s possible new console? Would you buy one? Let us know in the comment section!