The PlayStation Vita failed to gain traction with fans at the level Sony had hoped for. Apparently not deterred by the commercial failure, the gaming giant is reportedly working on a successor for its 2011 handheld.
But based on a report by Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, this handheld will be an accessory for the PlayStation 5. This device, which has been given the codename “Q Lite”, won’t therefore be a standalone video game console that will directly compete with the likes of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Rather, it’s meant for allowing players to play PlayStation 5 games on a portable screen through PS Remote Play.
Q Lite seems well into development, as Henderson managed to uncover the specs of early prototypes. Though they may not necessarily end up on the final version, the features include adaptive 1080p streaming at 60FPS on an 8-inch touch-enabled LCD.
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As part of the controls, Q Lite will have haptic feedback on adaptive triggers similar to the DualSense controllers. The device will also sport volume buttons, speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack. To the annoyance of certain gamers, the device will also require constant Internet connectivity.
In terms of release, Henderson’s report suggests the Q Lite handheld will be announced and launched first before the PlayStation 5 Pro, another product rumored to be in the works that’s slated for a holiday release in 2024.