RUMORS SUGGEST THAT SONY IS DEVELOPING A NEW HANDHELD GAMING DEVICE CALLED "Q LITE."

Sony may be working on a new portable gaming device, codenamed "Q Lite," according to recent rumors reported by Insider Gaming. The rumored device is expected to be an accessory for PlayStation 5 owners and will leverage Sony's Remote Play feature to stream games from a PS4 or PS5 console over the internet.

Sony's handheld gaming devices, such as the PSP and PS Vita, have been popular with gamers in the past, but the company had previously stated that it saw no reason to develop another handheld console given the dominance of smartphones as mobile gaming devices. However, the success of the PlayStation 5 console may have prompted a change in the company's stance, and it is now rumored to be exploring new avenues in the portable gaming market.

The Q Lite is not expected to be a true successor to the PS Vita, but early prototypes are said to resemble a larger DualSense controller, with an 8-inch 1080p (60 Hz) LCD touchscreen display. While the device seems large enough to house some decent internals, the report suggests that Sony is not interested in a true spiritual successor to the PS Vita.

PlayStation handheld concept by Andrea Gallarini and Nicola Pezzotti

Instead, the Q Lite will be an accessory for PlayStation 5 owners, allowing them to play the same games outside of the home. It is expected to be locked inside the Sony ecosystem, requiring a PlayStation 5 as well as a strong and uninterrupted internet connection to work. This limited functionality could be a potential stumbling block for the device, as it may not offer enough features to entice consumers away from their smartphones.

Launching a device that depends on a PlayStation 5 and a strong internet connection to work may seem like an idea doomed to fail, especially given the dominance of smartphones in the mobile gaming market. The Backbone One PlayStation edition is a $99 accessory that allows gamers to use their smartphones as a portable gaming console, offering a similar experience to the rumored Q Lite. This raises questions about the viability of a portable device that is locked inside the Sony ecosystem and may struggle to compete with the likes of the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck.

Backbone One PlayStation

While rumors of the Q Lite are intriguing, they should be taken with a grain of salt as there has been no official confirmation from Sony. It remains to be seen whether Sony will indeed release a new portable gaming device and, if so, whether it will be a viable option for gamers in a market that is dominated by smartphones and established handheld gaming consoles. The rumored device is scheduled to launch later this year, so we won't have to wait long to confirm the rumors.