PlayStation has officially revealed PlayStation Portal Player, a brand-new handheld in the Midnight Black series that comes with additional storage and can play PS5 games through cloud streaming. The standard PlayStation Portal Remote Player was initially designed to run games from the player’s PS5 remotely but later received an update that added cloud streaming support. However, the upcoming model is specifically designed to work without a console.
The Japanese company also recently revealed PlayStation 5 Midnight Black, a cheaper new version of its home console. While the new model is largely the same as standard versions, Sony said it has “some specifications customized for the Japanese market.” As for the new PlayStation Portal release, the changes may go beyond a simple coat of paint, as Sony is adding something new for “future functionality.”
PlayStation Portal Player Midnight Black Specifications
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- Pre-order Start Date: November 13, 2026
- Release Date: December 10, 2026
In a new post on PlayStation’s Japanese blog, the company revealed PlayStation Portal Player, dropping the word “Remote” from the name because the new model no longer needs to connect to a PS5. Players can now use it to stream all PlayStation games that support cloud streaming, and all they need is a PS Plus subscription. Priced at 39,980 yen (about $253 USD), PlayStation Portal Player also comes with additional internal storage.
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Sony says, “With an eye towards future functionality, the new model includes additional internal storage.” To be clear, the standard model also has built-in storage for its operating system, but players have not been able to use it. In other words, Sony may be hinting that PlayStation Portal Player could run some apps or less demanding games, though that is only speculation at this point. Aside from the built-in storage and new color, everything else about PlayStation Portal Player appears to be the same as the standard model, including its “8-inch, 1080p/60fps LCD display, 3D Audio, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers.”
Those who purchase PlayStation Portal Player will also receive one month of free PS Plus Premium. While the subscription appears to be essential for the handheld’s functionality when there is no console around, Sony has made it clear that players won’t be limited to the PS Plus game catalog. The official announcement states, “You can also access the PlayStation Store from the PlayStation App or a web browser on your smartphone or PC, and purchase cloud streaming-compatible downloadable PS5 titles yourself.”
A piece of disappointing news for players in the US is that the new PlayStation Portal Player is exclusive to the Japanese market. Sony says, “This product is a model limited to use within Japan. The system language is Japanese only, and it can only be used with a PlayStation account registered as Japan in the Country/Region section.” It also remains unclear whether the company will ever release the handheld outside Japan.
