PlayStation Project Q: Everything We Know

Sony has officially lifted the veil on its next handheld device — an 8-inch LCD tablet that'll supposedly release later this year via all major retail outlets. But what is the so-called Project Q, and how will it compete with the likes of the PSP and the PlayStation Vita? Or better yet, how will it look to one-up its predecessors and enhance the realm of portable gaming?

“We will launch a dedicated device that enables you to stream any game from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi,” said PlayStation boss Jim Ryan. “Internally known as ‘Project Q,’ it has an 8-inch HD screen and all of the buttons and features of the DualSense wireless controller.”

Curious? If so, then be sure to read on for all the latest details on Project Q. What's the current situation with PlayStation, and is there anything can you do to get involved ahead of its late 2023 launch? Here's everything we can tell you.

What Is Project Q?

To put you in the picture, Project Q is Sony's upcoming handheld device — an 8-inch LCD tablet that'll serve as an additional streaming device for PS4 and PS5 games already installed on home consoles. Bottom line there is, it won't feature any standalone games, and will instead stand as a second screen in any public or private Wi-Fi zone. Quite a disappointing initial info dump, for sure, and yet one that Sony will no doubt look to flesh out as the months draw nearer to its planned 2023 release window.

In addition to its Remote Play functionality, the Project Q will also take the shape of a DualSense controller. On that note, you can expect all the same haptic feedback and standard functions of a basic PlayStation 5 pad, only with a HD screen wedged between the two grips.

How Will Project Q Work?

Project Q will operate in the same way the Remote Play function works on Android and tablet devices — as a portal, and accessible to those who have already connected their consoles to a Wi-Fi network. It is worth noting that, as the Project Q won't have any physical media, users will have to essentially stream the games already installed on their home consoles, and must be connected to Wi-Fi in order to utilize its functions.

To put it short, Project Q isn't quite the successor to Sony's last handheld, but more an additional screen for those who are either on the move a lot, or those who'd much rather play their games outside of their front rooms, and perhaps somewhere else; a garden, for example. So, if you had high hopes of seeing physical cards or data sticks on launch, then you're probably going to be unsatisfied with Sony's original concept.

PlayStation Vita 2?

Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room here: Project Q, as sleek as it looks on the surface, really isn't the long overdue spiritual successor to the PlayStation Vita we would've wanted. On the contrary, it's a second portal to stream your games while on the move. Needless to say that this is already possible on both tablets and phones, with thanks to the PS4 and PS5 already having a Remote Play feature that lets you stream your installed games to another device.

What's new here, really, is the DualSense functionalities that bind to it. And while that may be a bit of an underwhelming thing for a lot of people, it'll certainly do any avid travelers a favor or two — especially those who take regular trips for business or pleasure. Aside from that, though, there isn't a great deal more the Project Q brings to the table, which of course begs the question: how much would someone be willing to pay for the luxury of having a second screen?

Project Q Price

As it currently stands, we don't know whether or not the Project Q will launch with a hefty price tag, or settle for something a little more entry-level. According to rumors, though, the handheld device will release with a tag in the ballpark of $250 to $280 — putting it a little under the Nintendo Switch, which is currently available for $300. And that's a fair amount, to be fair, what with the Switch actually being something of a console, whereas Project Q is, more or less, another monitor to portal your games over to.

Of course, if Sony does intend to bring the device out at some point this year, then news regarding the price tag on launch is sure to arrive sooner than later. If we're lucky, then we could see a price tag hit all major retail storefronts as early as August. But when will we see the Project Q grace the shelves? Well, here's what we've heard since first hearing of it earlier this year…

Project Q Release Date

Unfortunately, Sony has yet to set a release date in stone. That said, the industry giant did go as far as to say it'll be launching at some stage later this year. If what one particular rumor is claiming turns out to be true, then Project Q will arrive in November of this year. That is, of course, providing insider Tom Henderson (a source who also predicted Sony's handheld ahead of its formal announcement) is on the money.

If by chance you are interested in keeping up to date with Sony's latest invention, then be sure to check in with the studio's official social feed for additional updates here. We'll be sure to inform you just as soon as a release date gets set in stone. Until then, it's over to the guys over at PlayStation to dot the i's and cross the t's.

So, what's your take? Will you be getting your hands on one of Sony's tablets when they release? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.