Sony Unveils Japan-Only PlayStation Portal With Internal Storage and New Name
Sony's new Japan-only PS Portal adds internal storage for unannounced features and drops "Remote" from its name. Here is what changed and what is still unknown.
What changed
Sony has announced a new version of the PlayStation Portal handheld that will go on sale only in Japan. The headline change is internal storage, a feature the current Portal does not have.
According to IGN, Sony Japan's official blog post says the model comes with "the brand new addition of internal storage" with "an eye towards future functionality." Sony says it will share details on those features once they are finalized.
New name, same price
Sony is also changing the handheld's full Japanese name. The Verge and IGN both report it goes from "PlayStation Portal Remote Player" to "PlayStation Portal Player."
The price is 39,980 yen, which IGN and Kotaku both say matches the current Portal. Kotaku reports the screen is the same 1080p LCD and that the general features are the same as the global model.
Sony's blog post also stresses that even players without a PS5 can enjoy PS5 games on the device. IGN notes that Sony began letting PS Plus Premium members stream games from the cloud to the Portal last year.
What the storage might be for
Sony has not said what the storage is for, so anything beyond that is speculation. The Verge suggests the name change and storage might point to streaming apps, or to syncing media for offline playback. The current Portal does not support apps such as YouTube, Disney Plus or Netflix.
Kotaku notes the regular Portal cannot download games, and asks whether the storage could let some titles run natively. It stresses Sony has not confirmed anything of the sort. IGN says the rename suggests Sony is moving away from the image of the Portal as an accessory that streams from a PS5 via Remote Play.
Not launching outside Japan, for now
This model is locked to Japanese language options and works only with a PlayStation account registered in Japan, according to The Verge and IGN. Sony's announcement covers Japan alone.
Sony has not said whether a similar model with internal storage will be sold in other regions. Kotaku says Sony has yet to confirm anything on that, and IGN says it will be interesting to see whether the model reaches other countries.
What it means for you
If you live outside Japan, nothing changes for your Portal. The new model cannot be used with a non-Japanese PSN account, and no international version has been announced. Anyone curious about the added storage will need to wait for Sony to detail the features it has promised. Pre-orders in Japan open ahead of the December 10 release.
Also read PlayStation Plus PC App Shuts Down December 10 as Under 0.4% of Eligible Members Use It
Quick answers
Is the new PS Portal coming to the US or UK?
Sony has only announced it for Japan. It has not said whether a version with internal storage will be sold elsewhere.
Can I use the Japan-only Portal with a non-Japanese account?
No. According to The Verge and IGN, it requires a PlayStation account registered in Japan and is limited to Japanese language options.
What is the internal storage for?
Sony has not said. It states only that it will confirm the future functionality at a later date.
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