Sony is allegedly developing a new handheld gadget intended for playing PlayStation titles, marking its first significant venture into the handheld gaming arena since 2012, as reported by *Bloomberg*.

Information regarding the device is limited, indicating that it is still in the preliminary phases of creation. *Bloomberg* suggests that the initiative is years from a possible release—if it even reaches the consumer market. It’s not unusual for such products to be abandoned during the development phase and remain unreleased.

**SEE ALSO:**
[PlayStation Portal just got a big update](https://mashable.com/article/playstation-portal-update)

The report indicates that the upcoming handheld would allow for the native playing of PS5 games while on the move. If accurate, this would differentiate it from current handhelds like the [Steam Deck](https://mashable.com/review/steam-deck-oled), as it would have to possess significantly greater power to achieve PS5 performance levels. This would also set it apart from Sony’s newly launched [PlayStation Portal](https://mashable.com/review/playstation-portal), which enables users to stream PS5 games over a remote connection but necessitates a steady Wi-Fi connection to operate.

Sony’s revitalized focus on handheld gaming is captivating, particularly considering its tumultuous past in this market. While the PSP made a notable impact in the mid-2000s, its successor, the PlayStation Vita, debuted in 2012 and struggled to find its audience. Ultimately, the Vita’s failure was due to insufficient first-party game support from Sony. Nonetheless, the gaming landscape has evolved significantly since that time. The [Nintendo Switch](https://mashable.com/article/nintendo-switch-2-backwards-compatibility-announced) has surged in popularity, and even Xbox is [reportedly investigating handheld gaming](https://mashable.com/review/playstation-portal).

It appears that what was once considered old is being revisited in the gaming industry.