PlayStation Unveils New Handheld Console, Project Q, Amid Streaming Revolution

In a surprise announcement that’s sending ripples through the gaming community, Sony has officially revealed Project Q — a dedicated handheld console aimed squarely at streaming PlayStation 5 games via Remote Play. As the gaming industry leans heavily into cloud and remote gaming, this move signals Sony’s strategic response to both Xbox Cloud Gaming and the rapid adoption of portable platforms like the Steam Deck.

Project Q boasts an 8-inch HD screen flanked by what appears to be two halves of a standard DualSense controller, complete with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Unlike the PSP or the PS Vita before it, however, Project Q isn’t a standalone console — instead, it requires a PS5 console for operation. The device is designed specifically for streaming games already installed on your PS5 over Wi-Fi, leveraging Sony’s existing Remote Play functionality.

Sony remained tight-lipped on exact specs and pricing details, but they did confirm that Project Q is expected to launch later this year. In addition, a slew of first-party PlayStation Studios titles are being optimized for Remote Play functionality, hinting at Sony’s deeper investment in a future where physical boundaries no longer limit gaming experiences.

Initial reactions have been mixed. Some fans applaud the return to handheld hardware, which many saw as abandoned after the PS Vita, while others voice concerns about the device’s reliance on Wi-Fi and the absence of native gaming capabilities — especially in a market flooded with powerful handheld PCs and multi-platform cloud gaming systems.

Still, there’s no denying the clear direction Sony is taking. As Xbox continues to prioritize the cloud and Nintendo remains dominant in handheld gaming with the Switch, Sony’s Project Q aims to fill a distinct niche: delivering premium PlayStation 5 games on the go, with minimal compromise in quality and functionality.

Whether it can live up to the promise — and whether gamers are willing to embrace an accessory that depends on an existing console — remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the handheld wars are back, and Sony doesn’t plan to sit them out.