As the current console generation winds down, with the PlayStation 5 Pro marking Sony's last major hardware release and Microsoft sticking with the Xbox Series X, attention turns to the next generation. But this time, the rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox might take a different form.
The Rise of Mobile Gaming
Microsoft has openly stated its intention to release a handheld Xbox device, focusing on its "ecosystem" strategy to expand gaming accessibility. Their goal is to reach players everywhere, diversifying platforms and expanding game availability beyond traditional consoles. Game Pass and cloud gaming are central to this strategy, providing access to a vast library of games on various devices, including smart TVs and streaming devices. A cloud-powered handheld Xbox is the next logical step.
Sony entered the handheld market cautiously with the PS Portal, primarily designed for streaming games from a PS5. However, a recent update introduced cloud gaming support, allowing the device to operate independently.
Sony's Handheld Success
The PS Portal defied expectations with its strong sales performance. The addition of cloud gaming is likely to further boost its popularity. This success, combined with Microsoft's explicit plans for a handheld Xbox, suggests a shift in the console wars towards mobile gaming.
Unconfirmed rumors suggest Sony is developing two next-gen SoCs: one high-performance chip for the PlayStation 6 and a less powerful chip potentially intended for a handheld PlayStation device.
In the next few years, we'll see how Sony and Microsoft approach the handheld market and which company can capture the audience eager for the return of professional handheld gaming after the PS Vita's discontinuation.
