Project Q: What we Know about Sony’s Upcoming Handheld

Sony’s been making headlines again – the Japanese gaming giant, responsible for some of the best-selling console systems in gaming history once again stole the spotlight at its recent PlayStation showcase, giving fans the chance to get an idea of what to expect in terms of upcoming software and hardware products.

With regards to the latter, Sony recently showed off a some new products including a pair of PlayStation-branded wireless earbuds, but what really got people’s attention was “Project Q,” Sony’s newest entry into the handheld gaming market. Not much info was given regarding the product at this point, but the presentation does give us something to expect – let’s take a look!

Design and Hardware

Sony has doubled-down on the PlayStation 5 design language with the Q, which should be obvious at first sight. The handheld comes with controller grips on the left and right, which look a lot like a PS5 controller that’s been split in half. In addition to the same design, the controls will presumably come with all the controls as found on the more “standard” PS5 controller as well.

It’s worth noting that these controllers flank a large display, not unlike the Nintendo Switch. The display is specified as having a width of 8 inches, putting it in league with other compact tablets out there, such as the iPad Mini. One difference from the iPad Mini though is the Q’s aspect ratio, which should be more in line with what we usually see on TVs, as that’s how Sony wants you to play games on the Q – this now brings us to our next point of discussion.

Software

In terms of what we can expect regarding games on the Project Q, Sony has stated that the device is intended to be a streaming companion to the PS5 itself, meaning that it won’t come with its own library of games. Instead, the Q will stream the titles that you already own on your PS5, and will of course require a constant internet connection.

At the moment, Sony has kept mum on the software and UI that’s running inside the Q. We’re still waiting to see if the device runs on a forked version of Android, similar to other recently-released handhelds out there. With that being said, it’s definitely a far cry from older Sony gaming handhelds, which come with their own proprietary OS and library of games. There’s also the fact that you can already set up an Android phone and third-party controller to use as a PlayStation remote play device, which does bring a bit of questioning to the Q’s existence.

Is it the Next PS Vita?

At this point in time, the Sony Project Q doesn’t look like it’s meant to succeed the Vita or the PSP in any way, other than the fact that it is a portable PlayStation-branded gaming device. The reliance on streaming, unconventional design, and mysterious software – at the moment, at least – shows that Sony has a different objective in mind this time around. Of course things can still change as we get more information at the device, but for now it looks like the Project Q has its sights set on devices like the new Razer handheld and Logitech G handheld.