If you own a PS5, you already know the problem the PlayStation Portal solves: you don’t always get the TV. Whether it’s family time, a busy living room, or just wanting to chill in bed, the Portal turns your PS5 into something you can actually use more often.
And that’s why, since launch, the PlayStation Portal has quietly become my most-used PS5 accessory. Not because it’s flashy — because it’s convenient. It makes “quick gaming” real: jump in for 20 minutes, finish a mission, do a few races, hop off.
But (and there’s always a “but”), the Portal also feels like a first-generation product. It’s very good at one thing — streaming your PS5 — yet there are a handful of obvious upgrades Sony could bring to a new version to make it feel truly premium.
Here are 8 ways Sony could make the next PlayStation Portal even better.
1) Add Bluetooth audio (without workarounds)
This is the big one.
Right now, the Portal’s audio options feel unnecessarily restrictive. If you want wireless audio, you’re pushed towards Sony’s own solutions rather than the earbuds or headset you already own.
A new version should include standard Bluetooth audio support so you can pair AirPods, Sony WH headsets, gaming headsets, or any everyday earbuds in seconds.
Why it matters:
- Better convenience for commuting around the house
- No extra dongles
- Less friction = more play
Bonus win: Low-latency Bluetooth codecs (or a dedicated gaming mode) to keep audio in sync.
2) Upgrade to an OLED (or mini-LED) display
The Portal’s screen does the job, but it doesn’t always wow—and it should. A handheld device lives and dies by its display.
An OLED or mini-LED panel would improve:
- Black levels (huge for horror games and cinematic titles)
- Colour vibrancy
- Perceived sharpness and contrast
If Sony wants the next Portal to feel like a premium device, this is one of the easiest ways to do it.
3) Improve Wi-Fi performance for smoother Remote Play
Remote Play is only as good as your connection. Even with strong broadband, home Wi-Fi can be unpredictable: mesh systems, crowded channels, thick walls, and interference all matter.
A next-gen Portal should include:
- A more powerful Wi-Fi chipset
- Better antennas
- Smarter network handling that keeps gameplay stable when you move around the home
Dream spec: Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support for lower congestion and better stability in busy households.
4) Add a proper “Quick Resume” style reconnect
One of the best parts of handheld gaming is how fast you can dip in and out. The Portal already feels close, but it could be snappier.
A new version could add:
- Faster wake + reconnect to PS5
- A “last session” one-tap reconnect button
- Smarter standby that maintains a ready state without murdering battery life
The goal is simple: press power, you’re playing — no fuss.
5) Boost battery life (and charging speed)
Battery life is always the difference between “nice accessory” and “daily device.” If you’re using the Portal as your go-to way to play, you want the confidence that it’ll last.
A new version should aim for:
- Longer real-world battery during Remote Play
- Better battery health over time
- Faster USB-C charging (and ideally USB-C PD support)
Extra improvement: A battery care setting (charge limit to 80–90%) to preserve long-term battery health.
6) Make it lighter, thinner, and more travel-friendly
The Portal is comfortable — the DualSense-style grips feel great — but it’s not exactly “throw it in a bag” small.
Sony could refine the industrial design:
- Reduce overall weight
- Slim the body slightly
- Improve balance for long sessions
- Add a sturdier, more portable feel
This is the kind of upgrade you notice most after 2–3 hours of play.
7) Add better cloud and “away from home” options
The Portal is built for streaming from your PS5, which is great — but Sony could expand the vision.
A new Portal could offer:
- Deeper integration with cloud gaming (where available)
- Better “out of home” Remote Play setup and reliability
- A clearer connection status/quality interface so you know what’s happening in real time
This isn’t about replacing your console — it’s about giving you more ways to play when life gets busy.
8) Improve controls, customisation, and accessibility
Because the Portal uses DualSense-style controls, it already feels excellent. But Sony could push it further:
- More granular haptics/adaptive trigger settings for handheld comfort
- Better on-device button mapping
- More accessibility features built in (text size, UI scaling, contrast modes)
- A richer quick settings menu (brightness, performance profile, connection quality)
Small quality-of-life features are what make a device feel “finished.”
Final thoughts: the Portal is already great — but the next one could be unbeatable
The PlayStation Portal is the rare accessory that changes how often you actually use your PS5. For many people, it turns console gaming into something that fits around real life — not something that competes with it.
If Sony launches a new version with:
- Bluetooth audio
- A premium screen
- Better Wi-Fi stability
- Longer battery life
…then it stops being “a cool Remote Play device” and becomes the must-have PS5 accessory.
If you’re already using Remote Play regularly, the Portal is proof the idea works. Now it’s time for Sony to polish it into something truly next-gen.
