PSP Redux: Sony Leak Reveals New Handheld Device

Apr 7

The gaming community has been abuzz recently surrounding the rumors of a new Sony handheld device that has secretly been in development. Following an article from Inside Gaming, the rumors were confirmed to be true and the device, codenamed “Q-Lite” will be releasing sometime before the PS5 Pro in 2024.

The Q-Lite will has some attractive features rumored, including an 8” touch screen, 1080p 60fps, adaptive triggers with haptic feedback, and even an audio input jack.

There are however a few features that aren’t so exciting. The device seems to only use Remote Play with a PS5 console, which requires constant access to the internet in order to play games, including already owning a PS5. This doesn’t seem to be a new PSP or Vita handheld console so much as a handheld accessory to use alongside your PS5. Cool idea, but not exactly what Sony fans may have been expecting or wanting since the PS Vita was discontinued back in 2019.

*The Backbone Controller for PS Remote Play. Retails for around $100.*

Playstion Remote Play is already available via your PS4 or PS5 consoles and can be used on mobile devices, PC, or MAC, with the either the Dual Shock 4, Dual Shock 5, or the Sony branded Backbone controller (pictured above).

With so many options to use the PS Remote Play feature, it seems like an odd choice to create an entirely separate piece of hardware with it’s own screen that still has to have a constant internet connection in order to play games off of your Playstation. Unlike the Logitech G Cloud that streams games via the Cloud with an internet connection, you’ll have to already own a PS4 or PS5 and the game you wish to play, creating a very costly barrier to entry for what is essentially a glorified peripheral.

However, the idea to potentially be able to play God of War, Spiderman, or Elden Ring whilst laying down in bed or using the bathroom is enough of a tantalizing scenario to entice certain gamers.

There’s no word on a price yet, so it remains to be seen if the self contained Q-Lite will be a cheaper or more expensive option than the $99 Backbone controller paired with your smartphone, though I think we can safely assuming it’ll lean more towards the expensive side of the spectrum, being officially made by Sony and all.

Making the PS4 and PS5 more portable (in a sense) is an interesting move for Sony, who can safely assume to be trying to take a little tiny chunk of the portable gaming market back from the unrelenting grip that Nintendo has had on it since the introduction of the Game Boy. Though to make it a Remote Play-only console and not a Cloud-based system or a hybrid Cloud and Download type console has left many Sony fans confused as to what exact need the Q Lite is filling, outside of taking money that was burning a hole in people’s pockets.

The Q Lite will allegedly be making it market debut just before the launch of the PS5 Pro console that’s being released sometime in Holiday 2024, which means the next big Sony “State of Play” stream might give us all a look at what the console and the handheld will look like. So be sure to stay tuned and keep an eye out for any sightings and developments in the future.