After four years since the discontinuation of the PlayStation Vita, Sony is allegedly developing a new PlayStation handheld console designed to use the PS5’s Remote Play feature to stream video games. The device is codenamed the “Q Lite,” sports an eight-inch LCD touchscreen in the prototype phase, and is planned for release in the next year.
The rumor comes from leaker Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, who claims that the device is not intended as a cloud streaming console but instead leverages the PS5’s Remote Play feature to run games, in the same fashion as the usage of Steam Remote Play on the Steam Deck or the PlayStation 4’s Remote Play on the older PlayStation Vita.
It is also understood that the “Q Lite” is not intended as a successor to the PlayStation Vita. This information was also corroborated by Jeff Grubb, who shot down a potential Vita 2 and reported having only heard about “a cloud-streaming handheld:”
I am traveling to Super Nintendo World, but I see the reports about a potential Vita 2, and I would definitely scope down those expectations. I've only ever heard about a cloud-streaming handheld.
— Grubb (@JeffGrubb) April 4, 2023
While Grubb’s information contradicts Henderson’s to some extent, both seem to agree that the rumored PlayStation handheld will not natively run PS5 titles.
As for the Q Lite’s technical capabilities, Henderson reports that the console supports adaptive streaming up to 1080p at 60fps, and requires a constant Internet connection. The Q Lite is said to “look a lot like a PS5 controller,” and is equipped with an eight-inch LCD touchscreen as well as adaptive triggers for haptic feedback and standard volume control buttons, speakers, and an audio input jack.
The Q Lite is currently in the quality assurance phase according to the rumor, and is scheduled for release before holiday 2024. Keep in mind that none of this information has currently been confirmed by Sony itself, and as such, it is not impossible that the rumor has no basis in reality. Should Sony officially announce the PlayStation handheld or shoot the rumor down, we’ll let out readers know.
Source: Insider Gaming