The much-anticipated PlayStation Portal is set to make its debut, marking Sony’s long-awaited return to the handheld gaming market. We’ve been fortunate enough to get our hands on a unit ahead of its November 15th release date to experience the groundbreaking potential of taking our PlayStation 5 gameplay on the go. But before we power up this exciting new device, let’s delve into the unboxing process and provide our initial impressions of its design.
Sony has taken a minimalist approach with the packaging, housing the Portal inside a cardboard box that slides out of a printed sleeve. Within the box, the Portal is elegantly wrapped and accompanied by instructions and a double-ended USB-C charging cable.
The first thing that grabs your attention about the Portal is its size. Sporting an 8-inch LCD screen and DualSense grips on each side, it retains the familiar form and feel of the PS5 controller. When compared to other handheld devices, its large footprint becomes evident – it’s similar in size to the Steam Deck. For a visual comparison, check out our unboxing on the Push Square YouTube channel.
With all the buttons and features of a regular DualSense, except for the touchpad, the Portal features reallocated mute and home buttons at the top left and right of the screen. Along the top of the screen are the speakers, while the power, pairing, and volume buttons are located just behind that. The USB charging slot and the 3.5mm audio jack are neatly tucked behind the screen.
While the form-factor of the Portal may appear unconventional at first glance, the comfort it offers is more important than its appearance. Devices like the Nintendo Switch and the Backbone One can become uncomfortable after extended use. In our limited experience, the Portal seems poised to be one of the most comfortable handheld devices on the market.
For now, we can only touch upon the design and feel of the console, so stay tuned to the site for our comprehensive review closer to the Portal’s launch date. Suffice it to say, we were pleasantly surprised by the build quality and size of the Portal, and we’re eagerly anticipating its performance.
Are you considering getting your hands on the PS Portal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
