Sony previously referred to the development codename as "Q-Lite" and later as "Project Q".Game consolesAt Gamescom 2023, PlayStation Portal was confirmed as the official name. At the same time, the company also confirmed the launch of the Pulse Explore true wireless headphones, which use PlayStation Link low-latency audio technology and a planar diaphragm design, and the Pulse Elite wireless headphones. All three products are expected to enter the market this year and are also expected to enter the Taiwanese market, but this cannot be confirmed at the moment.
PlayStation Portal is essentially a split DualSense with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen in the middle. It features Full HD resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The buttons are repositioned to suit the handheld's actual grip, and it can also be connected to wired headphones via a 3.5mm headphone jack.
This handheld game console is designed primarily for streaming PlayStation console games via the Remote Play service. It can connect to the PlayStation 5 via 5GHz Wi-Fi. Sony recommends using a wired connection to maintain a stable connection with the PlayStation 5 to avoid occupying the 5GHz Wi-Fi connection resources with the handheld game console, thereby providing a smoother streaming gaming experience.
However, Sony did not specify whether PlayStation Portal is built with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon G-series processor announced earlier, but confirmed that it cannot directly connect to the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription service to stream game content through PlayStation Portal, nor can it be used with PlayStation VR2.
As for Pulse Explore, it was previously known as PlayStation Earbuds and became the first true wireless headset of the PlayStation brand. It can be used for PlayStation 5 and PC devices respectively, and can even be connected to mobile phones via Bluetooth. It corresponds to the zero-distortion and low-latency PlayStation Link wireless transmission sound playback experience. And through the planar diaphragm unit design, combined with PlayStation 3D audio output, it corresponds to a more immersive sound experience and supports call noise reduction effects based on artificial intelligence computing.
The Pulse Elite wireless earmuff headphones, launched simultaneously this time, use the same planar diaphragm unit design, support PlayStation 3D audio output, and also correspond to the PlayStation Link wireless transmission sound playback experience. They mainly adopt a full-cover headphone design, and the microphone can be stored in the side earmuff.
Both headsets can still connect to devices via Bluetooth, but if you want to use the PlayStation Link connection method, you must use a dedicated USB receiver.
In terms of suggested retail price, PlayStation Portal will be sold at US$199 and 29980 yen, the Pulse Explore true wireless headphones have a suggested retail price of US$199 and 29980 yen, and the Pulse Elite wireless headphones have a suggested retail price of US$249.99 and 18980 yen.
