
Back when Sony’s streaming handheld PS Portal was announced, an enormous 33 per cent of you polled on Push Square said you had zero interest in the device. Well, as it turns out, you’re in the minority, because the Remote Play portable is proving a runaway hit for the platform holder.
In the UK, for the month of July, the unit was once again the industry’s best-selling accessory. It’s worth noting that this data is ranked by revenue, and the PS Portal is one of the more expensive items on the market, but there are other pricey peripherals available, like the DualSense Edge, which aren’t performing quite as well. The item has seen similar success in the United States, too.
“In the UK, the Sony PS Portal Remote Player has been consistently the No 1 or No 2 best-selling gaming accessory by revenue since launch in November 2023,” pointed out GfK analyst Dorian Bloch, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz. “Only in January this year was it outside the top two due to stock issues.”
All of this suggests Sony has struck gold here. We suspect devices like PS Portal will become a big part of its hardware strategy moving forward, and we expect it to continue to iterate upon its Remote Play technology and offer better streaming accessories moving forwards.
It’s perhaps proof, yet again, that the platform holder knows its market best.
Did you buy a PS Portal? (4,842 votes)
- Yes, I had one pre-ordered
- Yeah, I bought one
- Not yet, but I plan on buying one
- Nah, I'm undecided
- Nope, and I probably won't be buying one
- No, the PS Portal just isn't for me
How often do you use remote play with your PS5? (3,551 votes)
- I use remote play a lot
- I use it fairly regularly
- Eh, every now and then
- I rarely use it
- I've never used remote play
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 55
"It’s worth noting that this data is ranked by revenue, and the PS Portal is one of the more expensive items on the market".
That is a pretty big addendum though let's be honest. But fair's fair: it did better than I thought.
Curious what Portal owners think of it, since I received one for my birthday yesterday and am not sure how much use I'd get out of it. How dependent is it on a particularly strong internet connection? Is there noticeable lag? More often than not, I'd prefer playing on the big screen and I need to know whether I should keep this thing or trade it in for a few new games!
I’ve considered getting one to play FF14 in bed, honestly. But latency is a big deal in some higher raids and dungeons, and I’m not sure how well that would go.
@LifeGirl Yes, but as pointed out there are other similarly priced items on the market which aren't doing as well.
I have some birthday money floating about and have almost pushed the button on a Portal a couple of times then remembered I have no actual use for it.
Seems like a decent bit of kit, glad it is doing well.
Loving my Portal and stunned at how little lag there is. I played a dozen hours of Elden Ring 180 miles away at my in-laws this week on their passable WiFi. It started up my PS5 and I was playing in less than a minute, the picture was crystal clear and frame rate buttery-smooth. And more impressively it didn't impact me making massive progress in a game that demands sharp reflexes. It's also been great for playing on the sofa when my wife wants the full screen for a show while I'm gaming (previously she'd just get a small corner picture-in-picture!).
Love mine. Tend not to play the big cinematic games on it of course. But for a couple of hours of Monster Train or Football Manager in bed - perfect.
If you want to save some money by the way, I've got a Retroid Pocket for emulation and you can download an app called PS Play for that which is EXCEPTIONAL.
Almost no lag and great picture quality. Smaller screen and none of the bells and whistles of PS Portal, but great battery life and pretty cheap. A good alternative!
@Troubbble For me I really enjoy "smaller" games on it.
I've been playing Bulwark on it for weeks now, and I'll play Unicorn Overlord on it too.
But the likes of Elden Ring and Ghosts of Tsushima I save for the big screen.
As for lag, I only really play solo games on it, but I'm not having any input issues etc.
You won't need a super strong internet connection. Off the top of my head I think it needs 5-15mb upload/download to function. I have very low upload speeds where I am. 5mb is a good day for me and I get on okay.
@LifeGirl
Well yes, but the higher the price the lower the frequency of sales. It’s quite likely that, if the price were lower, Sony would sell more. The reason they don’t do so is likely down to stock issues. Sony aren’t really looking to make money on the hardware remember, it’s all the additional games and Microtransactions they can get by increasing people’s play time by dozens of hours a week.
I haven’t been able to get a straight answer to an important question- can you play a game on the Portal while watching something on a streaming service using the PS5?
@Mattock1987
Of course not. PlayStation 5 doesn’t let you do that, and this just uses the ps5 and mirrors the screen.
You can just use your smart TV app for a streaming service though. I doubt many people would have a ps5, portal, streaming service, but still rock a non-smart TV.
As an aside, you also can’t watch a streaming app and then stream it to the portal to watch elsewhere. Guessing the likes of Netflix wouldn’t like that kind of public broadcasting.
@Mattock1987 You can only run one app at a time on your PS5. You definitely can't stream a game to your Portal from your PS5, and also run Netflix on the same PS5 at the same time.
Im tempted to buy this so much. But my concerns are having used the remote play app at home on my AbxyLyte it disconnects from the console consistently, Ive read hardwiring the PS5 to Ethernet fixes this, which is not possible in my house. Thats what's stopping me pulling the trigger the disconnections.
Anyone with a portal have any problems?
"WhO iS tHiS for?!"
@code45709 my ps5 is wifi i don't have issues with the connection but also i do have very good internet so it can vary from different from people.
@code45709
I had the same concern (mine was a gift, otherwise my experiences with the (phone) app would have made me hesitate to get one).
As it turns out, the app on the portal is infinitely more stable than on my phone, with no disconnects and rarely any noticeable lag.
Despite what others say, do not use the general experience with the remote play app to inform your decision about the Portal.
I presume my phone (and maybe your laptop) is doing other stuff in the background.
I have the portal and use it regularly, however I am not happy with the connection stability. Every other WiFi using gadget works way more reliable.
Bought mine a few days ago, but it hasn't arrived yet. Fingers crossed my internet can handle it till fiber arrives.
It's awkward data. It's #11 in sales volume, only #1 by revenue. But it looks like they're also spearating controllers by sku/color, so it's up against "White dual sense" and "Astrobot Dual Sense" directly and not against "Dual Sense", "Joycon", as a single product. I.E. if they made portal in 2 colors it's numbers would be halved in this report.
@dskatter FWIW I've played raids and dungeons streaming from Xbox's remote play on their PC app and it's been fine. That's not Portal specifically, but streaming in general isn't a deal breaker, depending on network conditions.
@naruball I've been told I have to wait another year for fibre.
They have it down the road, up the road, across the field... but not here.
On topic though, if my internet can handle Portal, or I should say if the Portal can handle my internet, then I'm sure yours will be fine. Let us know how it goes for you!
@get2sammyb I also have the Retroid Pocket, and honestly find it's a better option. The Portal is limited to Sony's Android software which has always been far worse at streaming than PSPlay. I can't believe that's all they're using on the Portal, but IMO it makes the Portal worse than it should be and makes "anything else" the better streaming device. Plus Portal has the bizarre proprietary non-BT headphones for wireless.
Obviously it's not a nice big screen and for that there's also other options like G-Cloud, slightly smaller, but better stream quality with PSPlay.
IMO Portals only real strengths are that it's plug and play, and when not on sale, a bit cheaper than G-Cloud.
@LowDefAl That’s KINDA what I’m afraid of. Especially since all my crafters and gatherers are already up to 98-100, so it would all be questing/raiding after that.
I DO have very fast networking at my home tho, so the local connection wouldn’t be a HUGE deal…
Decisions, decisions!
I use mine probs more than I play on a tv now. Love it
@Troubbble The internet connection doesn’t matter if you play in the same LAN. It’s more important to have a 5 GHz Wifi connection which is not heavily used by other tasks, and its channel should not be used by other Wifis nearby. Your PS5 should be connected via Ethernet. Video lag is noticeable, but a minor issue in my opinion. Major issues in comparison are 1) audio lag (sound lags noticeably behind video) and 2) frequently dropped frames: 60 fps often feels more like 45 fps. And I have an optimal setup: a dedicated Wifi router exclusively for PS Portal, with an exclusive Wifi channel, 802.11ac-only forced (not needed, but nice to have), PS5 wired, less than 5 m Wifi distance. And STILL many dropped frames.
My conclusion: As long as these issues are not significantly reduced by future software updates, if you don’t need the Portal, don’t by it.
“an enormous 33 per cent of you polled on Push Square said you had zero interest in the device. Well, as it turns out, you’re in the minority”
I mean, yes, 33% is a minority.
I don’t know much about this device (I don’t even have a PS5), but I own a Switch and I mostly play in handheld mode at home, AND I rarely (if ever) play it away from home. So I totally get the convenience of this device for PS5 owners and why it’s proven popular. Of course there’s a question of expense, as you don’t need to buy anything extra for the Switch, but that doesn’t seem to have impacted its popularity.
New PSP? I'd be all over that.
Portal? Really can't be bothered.
'tis a fantastic bit o' kit!
That's a hugely misleading headline, it isn't by far the most popular gaming accessory.
The quoted article has it 11th on the list by unit numbers. If you're enjoy it then great, personally I have no use for it as I'd only be playing PS5 whilst at home and would much rather use my TV
@Troubbble I found it very respondant and didn't notice lag or I adjusted to it very quickly. I played ac odyssey a lot, nfs unbound, tina tinas wonderlands, astrobot, horizon fw, metal hellsinger and had no issues. As you can see that's a variety of types pf games with different response times required.
Yes I did have drops from occasions at launch but is been great since and sometimes on first login it's messy but if you disconnect and reconnect straight away it's perfect.
@Troubbble I have my PS5 connected directly into my network via an Ethernet cable. I have zero problems on my portal. Without the Ethernet cable (PS5 just on WiFi) I had some jumping and skipping. The network connectivity on your LAN will be much much faster than is required to get a smooth clear video and gameplay. I've played outside my home on my Verizon connection (via phone hotspot) and it was ok but really not great. I've played on a stable connection at work and it performed well. That being said it's ideal use is on the same network as the PS5, at least in my experience. I believe Sony advertises it on their Portal page as a device to use at home. At any rate, a solid low latency connection is required. If you have that it will play like you're running it locally.
Those who want and like the Portal are those that can't be in front of their TV all the time to play. My PS5 is hooked up to a TV in my family room, downstairs. My kids often play games on the TV upstairs. So I can be in the same room as them I use the Portal. Or I play before bed, in bed, if my wife isn't around.
It's really not for everybody, but it is a great accessory that works exceptionally well. If you never have a need to play anywhere else in your home then it's probably not for you.
@Troubbble
I’m enjoying mine. You don't need a particularly stellar internet connection. I got it at launch and it was a bit laggy, but the lag has improved significantly after each update and it hasn’t ever been a problem for me in months.
I find it would be very useful for anyone who has to share the TV with family or roommates. It’s also been great for me with a new baby around because I can game through nap time, etc.
I hate that it doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection for audio. I spring for the PS Explore headphones, but that stung a bit since I already have a pair of AirPods Pro 2 that I really prefer to use.
Happy gaming!
@dschons parents . It’s been a god send for me
@NoHope sounds like your router is set up for 2.4ghz. Try opening the router up (not literally) and change the channel to 5ghz
@Mikey856
Thank you for trying to solve my problem, my WiFi is set up for 5Ghz already.
@Mikey856 I know. It was a dig at people asking those questions before it launched.
@thefourfoldroot1 it doesn’t seem to have much of a point then
@Mattock1987
If a person lives in a single room bedsit with no family or friends, and never goes out anywhere, then indeed it wouldn’t have a point. Unless that person wants to watch TV and play a game at the same time I guess.
"Back when Sony’s streaming handheld PS Portal was announced, an enormous 33 per cent of you polled on Push Square said you had zero interest in the device. Well, as it turns out, you’re in the minority, because the Remote Play portable is proving a runaway hit for the platform holder."
This literally reads like "nanananana" style taunting, and is a weak start to the article which undermines it - I thought this was PushSquare, not PettySquare 😂.
It's perfectly possible for one third of people to not like something and a majority of the other two thirds to like it and have it.
A Portal-like device was on my wish list for years before it even was announced. I played Remote Play on my iPhone regularly but of course the experience with the smaller screen was clearly hampered.
And the Portal delivers on everything I could hope for. Big screen, comfortable to hold and decent battery life.
Sure, it can stutter sometimes, but I've played through the entire FF7 Rebirth, including all of its mini-games, using the Portal this summer over 4G about 150km away from my house.
My favourite piece of tech right now.
@Jeaz exactly the same. I’ve put 140 hours into rebirth so far and all of it on portal 👌
@NoHope okay next port of call, is your ps5 using a wired connection to router
Even considering the stat being based on £s and not units I would have assumed the DualSense would win if for no other reason than people having to replace controllers with drifting sticks. This means every three controllers they sell they are probably selling a portal?
@Mikey856
Yes, PS5 is wired. My internet speed is 1000mbits down and 50 mbits up.
What also happened, but only twice, that I am in the same room as the router and the PS5 and the Portal was stuttering and lost connection once.
I use mine all the time. It’s given me loads more gaming time because I’ll use it whilst why my wife’s watching Netflix on the TV.
@NEStalgia
That's quite the surprising take that it is better.
Sure, it MIGHT be cheaper. It ain't where I am from, and you get first gen Nintendo buttons in the pocket, whereas you get the newest 5th gen controller with Portal.
Looking at the archaic Retroid Pocket, I can't see how the screen isn't going to ruin every game in comparison with the Portal.
@EfYI Different form factor, yeah, obviously the Pocket is, well, pocketable while the Portal is anything but, but the buttons feel nice, again, for a small pocket form factor device.
But if it's more expensive than Portal, yeah, that changes the equation a lot, it's decently cheaper most places. Though then there's G-Cloud or Steam Deck/Ally running Chiaki depending on local pricing. On the bigger form factor side, still a smaller screen than Portal by a touch, but again IDK how much that larger screen is a benefit as long as it's stuck with the cruddy high compression YT video high latency stream Sony puts out. And flipping proprietary audio.
Basically the Portal would be a far better device if they just loaded it with ANY OTHER SOFTWARE BUT THEIR OWN! They offer, literally, the very worst streaming from PS5 of any software that streams from PS5. Just license someone else's and be done with it.
Also ditch the proprietary audio, it's 2024 FFS, Sony.
I'ts ***** brilliant.
No fiber for 6 month/year.
Been a lifesaver with 1 tv.....
"you’re in the minority, because the Remote Play portable is proving a runaway hit for the platform holder."
I'm not saying this to diss the Portal, I have no strong feelings about it either way, but unless the Portal has sold about 4 billion units, people with no interest in it are not in the minority. Even limiting it just to PS5 owners, there's no way the Portal has sold something like 25 million units (whatever half the PS5 install base is). If it's sold a million units, which would surprise me, that means 98% of PS5 owners haven't bought one. Anyway, some actual sales figures would be nice.
@Slayer25c and @thefourfoldroot1 thanks for the replies and information its much appreciated. Apologies for my late reply went away for a few days with no wifi and no data, was devastated 🤣
@zekepliskin honestly a third of the player base is a huge number.
@Matroska it's a PS5 accessory so only those players would have use for it.
@NoHope damn you’ve got much faster internet than me then. I’m guessing the problem must be interruptions on the 5ghz channel then. I don’t know what uses what channel on my router but with the Portal running so smoothly I’m guessing it’s the only device on the 5ghz channel. Maybe try and check that out? I have no idea how though
Properly love mine. I was always in the no thank you camp. I tried remote play on everything I could, from the Vita, PSTV, Sony phone (back when it was exclusive), PC, iOS and the different Android apps. Even bought a DS4 clip for my phone. None of them were any good.
The wife bought me the portal and it's superb. It worked fine out of the box for a while on Virgin Hub5 but after a couple of weeks it became unplayable again. Invested in some Deco X50s and since then it's been epic. Even bought the Pulse Elite to go with it.
Used it for single player like TLOU and TLOU2, Skyrim (again), Spiderman all of which were excellent. Also use it for some multiplayer games, most recently 7 Days to Die v1.0, again excellent.
I actually played a lot of GT7 on it too which was pretty impressive. I drew the line at F1 24 though, very difficult. Not unplayable but think the speed of the game vs these aging hands meant it wasn't a good experience.
All in all, a huge step up from previous remote play iterations, plus I mostly get to play a game without a child's head in the way of the screen. Mostly.
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