Highlights
- The PlayStation Portal handheld device's battery life is reportedly targeting 7-9 hours, similar to the PS5's DualSense Controller.
- The battery life of the PlayStation Portal is comparable to that of the Nintendo Switch, whose OLED model ranges from 4.5 to 9 hours.
- Achieving a battery life comparable to a DualSense controller for a screen-based device is commendable, but actual usage may vary.
PlayStation reportedly offers a target for the new PlayStation Portal handheld device's battery life, comparing it favorably to another wireless PlayStation device. A wave of new information regarding the new handheld PlayStation platform was recently shared by Sony. Details including a $199 price point, a lack of Bluetooth support, and various other specifications were shared. Those details also include a general idea of what the PlayStation Portal's battery life will be like, and it's about what would be expected.
PlayStation Portal, previously referred to as PlayStation Q, is Sony's upcoming portable handheld device that offers a way to play PS5 without a hard-wired TV or monitor. The PlayStation Portal connects directly to a PS5 console via Wi-Fi and displays gameplay at 1080p via an LCD screen, running at up to 60fps. With a launch price of $199.99, pre-orders have yet to begin for the PlayStation Portal, as Sony has yet to hammer down a release date beyond later this year.
While Sony didn't provide information regarding the PlayStation Portal's battery life in its blog detailing the handheld's specifications, new details have been provided to media outlets during a hands-on session with the device. According to CNET, Sony says that the PlayStation Portal is targeting a battery life similar to the PS5's DualSense Controller. CNET says this is about 7-9 hours, though real-world usage of the DualSense can vary between 5 and 12 hours.
This reported battery life for the PlayStation Portal makes the device similar to the Nintendo Switch. The OLED version of Nintendo's handheld console, undocked, can get between 4.5 and 9 hours of battery. That's more than the other versions of the Switch, with the original handheld getting between 2.5 and 6.5 hours. While the PlayStation Portal may not be a full handheld console, it likely has a higher power draw because of its 1080p resolution, next to the Switch's 720p screen.
It should definitely be noted that the official target for the PlayStation Portal's battery life may very well not reflect its real battery life. It will heavily depend on how it's being used, and maybe even vary from console to console. Still, achieving a battery life akin to a DualSense controller for a screen-based device is admirable.
The PlayStation Portal isn't going to be a device for everyone. It's not a standalone device, requiring a PlayStation 5 in order to operate. But for PS5 gamers who don't get to play as much as they like due to a lack of access to a TV or monitor, it will offer a new way to play. Expect more information about the PlayStation Portal's release in the months to come.
