Sony will release a new version of its PlayStation Portal handheld exclusively in Japan next month, featuring additional internal storage for future functionality; the storage and a name change seem to suggest the device might get access to streaming apps.
The updated model, arriving December 10 in a midnight black colour scheme, will be renamed from PlayStation Portal Remote Player to PlayStation Portal Player and priced at 39,980 yen (around $253), according to an announcement from Sony.
The Japan-only device will be locked to Japanese language options and can only be used with a PlayStation account registered in Japan. Sony said the extra internal storage is for "future functionality" that it will announce once those features are finalised.
The existing PlayStation Portal is designed primarily to stream PS5 games from a console or the cloud and does not currently support streaming apps such as YouTube, Disney Plus or Netflix. The additional storage, combined with the name change, seems to suggest this model might get access to streaming apps. The handheld is not powerful enough to play PlayStation games locally, but extra storage could also enable offline media syncing.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The upgrade signals Sony may be expanding the Portal's role beyond game streaming, potentially making it a more versatile media device.
- Limiting the new model to Japan suggests Sony is testing features and market response before a wider release.
- The name change from 'Remote Player' to 'Player' hints at broader ambitions for the handheld.
Background
The PlayStation Portal launched globally in late 2023 as a dedicated remote-play device that streams games from a PS5 console or via cloud gaming. It was praised for its low-latency streaming but criticised for lacking support for popular streaming apps and local game playback. This new Japan-only model marks the first hardware revision.
Key Perspectives
Sony: says the extra storage is for "future functionality" that it will announce once these features are finalised.
What to Watch
- Whether Sony announces specific streaming apps or offline media features for this model before its December 10 launch.
- Whether the extra storage and name change appear in models sold outside Japan in early 2027.
- Sony's pricing strategy: the Japan-only price is lower than the original Portal's global launch price, which may hint at a broader price adjustment.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe new PlayStation Portal model is exclusive to Japan.The Verge: “Sony is launching a new version of its PlayStation Portal exclusively in Japan next month.”
- SupportedThe Japan-only model will arrive next month with additional internal storage.The Verge: “Sony is launching a new version of its PlayStation Portal exclusively in Japan next month.”
- SupportedThe extra storage and name change suggest the model might get access to streaming apps.The Verge: “The name change, combined with extra internal storage, seems to suggest that this particular model might get access to streaming apps.”
- SupportedThe updated model will launch on December 10 in midnight black.The Verge: “The Japan-only model arrives on December 10th in a midnight black color scheme.”
- SupportedSony is renaming the device from PlayStation Portal Remote Player to PlayStation Portal Player.The Verge: “Sony is also renaming this particular Portal from PlayStation Portal Remote Player to PlayStation Portal Player.”
- SupportedThe updated model costs 39,980 yen, around $253.The Verge: “This Japan-only PlayStation Portal is launching on December 10th, priced at 39,980 yen (around $253).”
- SupportedThe device will be locked to Japanese language options and usable only with a PlayStation account registered in Japan.The Verge: “which will be locked to Japanese language options and can only be used with a PlayStation account registered in Japan.”
- SupportedSony says the extra storage is for “future functionality” and will announce the features once they are finalised.The Verge: “Sony says the extra storage is for “future functionality” that it will announce once these features are finalized.”
- SupportedThe existing PlayStation Portal is primarily designed to stream PS5 games from a console or the cloud and does not support streaming apps such as YouTube, Disney Plus or Netflix.The Verge: “The existing PlayStation Portal doesn’t support streaming apps like YouTube, Disney Plus, or Netflix, and is primarily designed to stream PS5 games from a console or the cloud.”
- SupportedThe PlayStation Portal is not powerful enough to play PlayStation games locally.The Verge: “The PlayStation Portal isn’t powerful enough to play PlayStation games locally”
- SupportedExtra storage could enable offline media syncing.The Verge: “but extra storage could also let you sync media for offline playback.”
