Sony Building PlayStation Handheld Just for Remote Play, Report Says

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Less of a PSP Go, more of a PSP No?

Sony PlayStation Q Lite handheld rumors
(Image credit: Sony)

A new Sony PlayStation-branded handheld gaming devices is in development, according to an exclusive from Insider Gaming. Sony's purported portable device won't be a true successor to the PlayStation Portable or the PlayStation Vita, however, as this 8-inch device will require a constant network connection to your PlayStation 5. In other words, it's less of a PSP Go and more of a PSP No if you don't have a PS5 — or if you're somewhere with no internet connection.

To be clear: the new device, codenamed "Q Lite," is not a cloud gaming device like Logitech’s Android powered G Cloud. Instead, its network connection exists solely for streaming the games library on your PS5. This feature is called Remote Play on the PS5, but other consoles and PC gaming portals have similar services. The rumors suggest that Q Lite owners will be able to enjoy portable PS5 gaming with adaptive streaming at up to 1080p and 60fps (frames per second). 

But, again, Remote Play already exists, and can be used on both PCs and Macs, as well as tablets, smartphones, and even (unofficially) Raspberry Pi. So... a dedicated handheld device for the service isn't all that compelling.

Sony PlayStation Q Lite handheld rumors

(Image credit: Sony)

Of course, you'll need a DualSense controller (or a DualShock 4) for an authentic PlayStation experience if you're playing on a PC/Mac/tablet/phone, while the Q Lite will allegedly come with controller sections flanking its 8-inch touchscreen. The controller sections seem to borrow a lot of design / style from the newest PS5 controller, and Insider Gaming says the newest adaptive triggers with haptic feedback are present. 

Cold Reception

Gamers have reacted to the rumors with mixed feelings. While most were initially pleased to hear a portable was in the works, many were disappointed when they saw the phrases "always connected" and "requires the PlayStation 5." Nobody likes restricted gaming devices. 

Pricing seems like it will also be an issue, if the rumors are accurate. To be part of the PlayStation ecosystem, the Q Lite will have to be well-built, with a high-quality screen, but it can't be priced too high or it will have to compete with more flexible devices, such as the Logitech G Cloud ($349), the Razer Edge ($399), or even the Valve Steam Deck (from $399).

Sony PlayStation Q Lite handheld rumors

(Image credit: Sony)

The rumored Q Lite is expected to be part of Sony's next PlayStation Showcase event — which will be a particularly big one according to industry insider Jeff Grubb. Sony allegedly plans to announce wireless earbuds, a wireless headset (similar to the Inzone H7 or H9, perhaps), and a PS5 with a detachable disc drive. 

Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • cyrusfox
    Was the PSP a commercial failure? Why did they ever exit the portable market? I guess piracy can kill these markets and pressure from mobile/cell phone gaming likely decreased exposure. Nintendo has maintained its presence with the switch lite.
    For the IO alone I prefer dedicated Gaming device over using a phone. As a PS5 on the go device, I expect limited uptick but I am wrong about a lot of things.
    Reply
  • PlaneInTheSky
    A dedicated Remote Play handheld means the device could be cheap, light and have plenty of battery life. It has to do none of the calculations itself.

    Sure, it has to decode the Remote Play stream, but a $5 chip can do this and Remote Play sips minuscule amounts of power when I use it on my mobile device.

    Remote Play exists on other devices, but they're not dedicated devices, they still contain hardware to play locally, which means the devices are still loud, bulky and expensive.
    Reply
  • atomicWAR
    PlaneInTheSky said:
    A dedicated Remote Play handheld means the device could be cheap, light and have plenty of battery life. It has to do none of the calculations itself.

    Sure, it has to decode the Remote Play stream, but a $5 chip can do this and Remote Play sips minuscule amounts of power when I use it on my mobile device.

    Remote Play exists on other devices, but they're not dedicated devices, they still contain hardware to play locally, which means the devices are still loud, bulky and expensive.

    Every streaming device (cloud or local) device I have used is lacking in one fashion or another. I am not saying they aren't getting better but there are a lot of inherent issues with networking that lead to a less than ideal situation as it currently stands.

    I would much rather see them drop a device that could play scaled up PS4 base model games in the say 2.7 TFLOP range OR scaled down PS5 games natively. With the Steam Deck out now running Sony games like Spider-Man remastered/Miles Morales, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn...and AAA titles like Hogwarts. And I am guessing a new Switch in the nearish future I see a solid market for a well priced high end hand held. I pray Sony doesn't drop a streaming device.
    Reply
  • PlaneInTheSky
    atomicWAR said:
    Every cloud device I have used is lacking in one fashion or another. I am not saying they aren't getting better but there are a lot of inherent issues with networking that lead to a less than ideal situation as it currently stands.

    Like the article points out, this isn't a cloud device. It's a Remote Play device.

    Most of the time you use Remote Play with WiFi when you're outside. You're not tied to any outside network that way and you don't even need a mobile plan to use it.

    That's how Sony sees Remote Play. While you can use Remote Play when you're far away from your Playstation on a commercial network, it is largely meant to be used very locally where your Playstation is within a short distance.

    Reply
  • anonymousdude
    cyrusfox said:
    Was the PSP a commercial failure? Why did they ever exit the portable market? I guess piracy can kill these markets and pressure from mobile/cell phone gaming likely decreased exposure. Nintendo has maintained its presence with the switch lite.
    For the IO alone I prefer dedicated Gaming device over using a phone. As a PS5 on the go device, I expect limited uptick but I am wrong about a lot of things.

    PSP was successful. The PS Vita was not. Between lackluster sales after its first year, lack of AAA games, and stiff competition from the 3DS and smartphones it did not do well. After that Sony exited the market permanently.
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Nobody asked for this.

    People wanted a REAL portable successor, not a Streaming Hand Held.
    Reply
  • atomicWAR
    PlaneInTheSky said:
    Like the article points out, this isn't a cloud device. It's a Remote Play device.

    Most of the time you use Remote Play with WiFi when you're outside.

    Wifi is networking not cloud but I was refering to "streaming" devices as a whole (will edit)...and wifi is networking and exactly what I meant by my comment. I get its remote play but your still streaming over your home networking equipment so networking is still an issue, even it its just your router.
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89
    anonymousdude said:
    PSP was successful. The PS Vita was not. Between lackluster sales after its first year, lack of AAA games, and stiff competition from the 3DS and smartphones it did not do well. After that Sony exited the market permanently.
    The PSP was successful because of piracy. Sony sold more consoles vs games, which caused the publishers threatening to leave.

    The PS Vita was a disaster only because Sony priced everything wrong and did little marketing. They priced the Vita as much as a Playstation 4 and charged astronomical prices for proprietary memory cards.
    Reply
  • hotaru251
    anonymousdude said:
    and stiff competition from the 3DS

    Nintendo basically uncontested forever in handheld area.

    gameboy to ds to the switch.

    they basically lead the way on handheld gaming and others follow. (especially true of Sony..they never lead & only follow & its why they rely on exclusives to sell consoles)


    but to the topic of the article...if they make it they will likely sell extremely little.

    if it needs internet connection...you arent playing it on the go.

    and at that point why bother? Just get a steamdeck and use it to stream to your ps & not have a paper wight w/o internet.
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Heat_Fan89 said:
    The PSP was successful because of piracy. Sony sold more consoles vs games, which caused the publishers threatening to leave.

    The PS Vita was a disaster only because Sony priced everything wrong and did little marketing. They priced the Vita as much as a Playstation 4 and charged astronomical prices for proprietary memory cards.
    That's because the idiots in charge can't give up on the idea of "Proprietary Media".

    They're OBSESSED with that idea and think people will tolerate it.

    They never can seem to read the long term writing on the wall.
    Reply