The recently announced PlayStation Portal is Sony’s take on handheld gaming, but how does it compare to the Steam Deck?
The PlayStation Portal is a handheld device that allows you to play your PS5 games when connected to your console.
However, stacked up against the Steam Deck, it begs the question of whether or not it’s worth the asking price.
We go over the main differences between the Steam Deck and the Playstation Portable below.
Steam Deck VS PlayStation Portal – Specs & Features
The Steam Deck and the PlayStation Portal are similar in some ways, but there are a few key differences that set them apart.
Below, you’ll find a table with a side-by-side comparison of the Steam Deck and the PlayStation Portal:
| Steam Deck | PlayStation Portal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Three Models: $399 $529 $649 | $199 |
| Requires Internet | No | Yes |
| Requires External Console | No | Yes |
| Screen | 7-inch LCD 800p | 8-inch LCD 1080p |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Thumbsticks, buttons, triggers, touchpads, and rear buttons | Full DualSense features – haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, PS buttons |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | Three Models: 64 GB eMMC 256 GB NVMe SSD 512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD | N/A |
| Battery Life | 2-8 Hours | 7-9 Hours |
| Unique Features | Steam OS, SD Card Slot for expanded storage, touchpads for PC game integration | Virtual touchpad, DualSense features, PlayStation Link |
Steam Deck VS PlayStation Portal – Which is Better?
For our money, the Steam Deck is the better handheld console if you’re looking to game on the go.
Despite its higher price, it allows you to play games natively. It even gives you the option to stream your PS5 games in a similar way using chiaki4deck.
The most prominent difference between the two handhelds is the internet connection requirement of the PlayStation Portal. As a streaming handheld, the PlayStation Portal is meant to be a supplement to your PS5 experience.
The PlayStation Portal allows you to stream your games to the device on your local network. It uses PlayStation Link, a new type of connectivity standard that increases the remote play experience even further.
It can work outside the home as well, but your experience will vary depending on the strength of your internet connection.
The biggest selling point of the PlayStation Portal is its full DualSense Controller features. Everything from the Adaptive Triggers to the Haptic Feedback is included, allowing you to fully experience how your PS5 games are meant to be played.
The only caveat is the price. You will be able to purchase PlayStation Portal for $199, which is quite a steep asking price for a device with so many limitations.
The Steam Deck on the other hand can access and play a substantial proportion of Steam games natively. It does not require an internet connection.
While it lacks the nifty features of a DualSense controller, it does include touchpads for better PC game integration and backbuttons for increased customization options.
As a handheld PC, you can tweak your Steam Deck to your heart’s content, with the ability to play and stream games remotely should you so wish.
In fact, with a bit of tinkering, you have the option to play your PS5 games remote play with chiaki4deck. It’s a third-party software that can grant you access to PlayStation remote play on your Steam Deck.
In effect, this negates the use case for the PlayStation Portal for those who already own a Steam Deck, as they already have the option to play and stream their games on a dedicated handheld device.
Despite this, it should be noted that the Steam Deck is more expensive – its cheapest model comes in at $399. However, the increased price is justified due to the Deck’s impressive technical specifications.
It really is down to the individual to decide which handheld is right for them.
If you’re looking to purchase the PlayStation Portal, be sure to check out our pre-order guide here.
