PlayStation Portal Review: Cloud Streaming is a Game-Changer

A couple of years after its release, I finally had the chance to try out the PlayStation Portal. Despite being a dedicated PS5 user, I never felt the need for an extra screen like the Portal. I prefer gaming on my monitor at home, so a second-screen device seemed unnecessary to me. However, the recent addition of full cloud streaming to the Portal changed my perspective.

With cloud streaming now available on the Portal, gaming has taken a significant step forward. This feature allows you to play games with better connectivity, regardless of your home Wi-Fi network strength. I recently had the opportunity to test cloud streaming on the Portal for a few weeks, thanks to a loan unit from PlayStation, and the experience has been eye-opening.

Initially, I had some reservations about cloud streaming due to latency issues. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the improved performance I experienced on the Portal. Games that used to feel sluggish and unresponsive now run smoothly on the handheld device. The screen quality, while not OLED, is impressive with vivid colors and sharp visuals. Games like Sword of the Sea look fantastic on the display.

Despite the improvements, there were still some minor issues. Occasionally, I faced challenges with games not starting due to connection issues, even though my internet speed was well above the recommended minimum for 1080p streaming. Additionally, there were occasional lag spikes that impacted the gaming experience. Overall, the addition of cloud streaming has made the PlayStation Portal a more versatile and useful device for gamers.