A recent rumor suggests that Sony is working on a new handheld gaming device under the PlayStation brand, codenamed the Q Lite. However, unlike Sony's previous handheld consoles, the Q Lite will not be a standalone device but instead will use Remote Play with the PlayStation 5, according to Insider Gaming. This is consistent with Sony's current push on Remote Play and means that the Q Lite cannot function without a PlayStation 5.
There is no mention of a release date or pricing for the Q Lite, and the report only mentions that it is in the quality assurance testing phase of development. During this time, Sony has the option to abandon the project altogether.
This new handheld is said to resemble a PlayStation 5 controller but has an 8-inch screen capable of 1080p quality and frame speeds of up to 60 frames per second. Aside from the usual suspects (volume controls, speakers, earphone jack, etc.), the handheld may feature adaptable triggers for haptic feedback.
Since the Q Lite will likely contain all the features of the PlayStation DualSense controller, its debut might provide a more optimized gaming experience for PlayStation owners. For those who want to take their PlayStation games on the move without sacrificing quality, this may be an attractive choice.
The Nintendo Switch and Valve's Steam Deck have helped revive the handheld gaming industry in recent years. High-end PC and console games are now portable because of these devices' robust hardware and cloud gaming capabilities. Asus, Logitech, and Razer are also some other prominent OEMs that have also released their own handheld gaming devices to compete in this market.
Sony has a proven track record of success in the portable gaming business, with 80 million units of the original PlayStation Portable (PSP) device sold worldwide. Unfortunately, the PlayStation Vita, its last product, was discontinued in 2019 without a successor in the pipeline.
Even if the reported Q Lite is not a standalone device, it might still be a significant addition to the PlayStation family for people who value portability and convenience. However, like with any unconfirmed rumor, this information should be taken with a grain of salt until Sony makes an official statement.
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