Prodigious PlayStation 5 ecosystem forms as incoming PlayStation handheld and new PS5 model prepare the way for the PS5 Pro

We just reported about rumors of a new Sony handheld device being secretly worked upon, with many hoping for a PS Vita 2 or some kind of PlayStation 5 Portable handheld. However, as is often the case with tech leaks, it seems the truth could be much more prosaic. According to Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, the new PlayStation handheld, which has the apparent codename of “Q Lite”, is just a remote play device for those who already own a PS5.

In contrast with Jeff Grubb’s recent claim that Sony might be working on a cloud-streaming handheld, Henderson asserts this is not the case, although a constant Internet connection is required. The device will need a PS5 to locally connect to, with the “Q Lite” seemingly being more of a Backbone One type of accessory rather than something capable of playing PS4 games natively.

According to the report, the PlayStation handheld comes with its own screen (8-inch LCD with touch) and will look like a DualSense controller. In addition, the “Q Lite” has adaptive triggers and the usual features that would be expected to be found on such a device. Apparently, the remote play handheld is in the quality assurance stage, which means the accessory could be almost ready for release.

Interestingly, it is mentioned that the handheld will be released after the new PS5 model revision, which is supposedly coming with a detachable disk drive. It’s not known if this modular console variant will sport a label such as “PS5 Slim” or not, but it is believed to be a wholescale replacement for the two current PS5 models. The same source has previously stated that the PlayStation 5 with detachable disk drive could be launched in September 2023.

As stated above, there are supposedly at least five pieces of PlayStation-related hardware in the works, with the Project Nomad (wireless earbuds) and Voyager (wireless headphones) products coming to join the nascent PS5 ecosystem. That will leave some space for the pièce de resistance, the PlayStation 5 Pro, to bulk up this burgeoning ecosystem and undoubtedly spark a sales stampede for Sony – as long as the system upgrades match the majority of expectations.

Yet again, Henderson has provided additional details here, claiming a potential PS5 Pro launch timeframe of late 2024 for the beefed-up console. So, those PS5 fans who might be disappointed about Sony working on a remote play handheld instead of a true PS Vita successor still have a lot to look forward to, including the creation of an even grander PlayStation 5 ecosystem with greater console choices.

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