Rumours about an upcoming Sony PlayStation handheld device appear to be true, that’s according to Insider Gaming. In their report, they state that the codename Q Lite is not exactly what many may have expected, but instead an extension of the PS5.
They say that the Q Lite handheld is not another PS Vita or PSP and it will not be a cloud streaming service device like the Logitech G Cloud. Instead, it will act as a smaller, more portable version of Sony’s current home console by using its Remote Play service. It will also need to be connected to the internet on a consistent basis to work, unlike some potential competitors like Steam Deck.
Insider Gaming understands that the Q Lite is in its QA phase and is scheduled to release before the PlayStation 5 Pro and after the Detachable Disc Drive PS5.
This is an interesting note to make as well, as PlayStation and Sony appear to have a three-pronged approach to the PS5. Launch a Pro model (like they did last generation) for the power users out there, release a detachable disc drive for anyone who owns the digital-only console, and push out a handheld that expands the console’s capabilities.
GiantBomb’s Jeff Grubb has also written about the rumour that Sony has been working on a streaming device, but those details have also been quite sparse.
It’s unclear from this brief report exactly what that Q Lite will do, but if it is a simple extension to your PS5 it could still be a handy (pun intended) way to bring God of War or Horizon into another room of your house. Limitations of the device remain to be seen and we don’t know when we’ll hear more about this secretive device.
With the Switch about to see a major title hit physical and digital shelves in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and the Steam Deck continually getting rave reviews, it remains to be seen how much demand there is for this PlayStation handheld and who they’re hoping to market it to.
