PlayStation Portal in 2026: Updated Features and Performance

PlayStation Portal provides a handheld gaming experience with improved streaming, performance, and compatibility after the recent 2025 update.

Hardware by Katmin on Jan 20, 2026

PlayStation Portal had a lot of promise when it first came out, but early reviews often hinged on how much someone really utilized their PS5. As time went on, many players stopped using the device, especially as they used their consoles less often.

Portal got many new features that made it more useful after a major update at the end of 2025. With these additions, and after revisiting the device following a long break, it became important to evaluate whether the Portal finally lives up to that potential.

PlayStation Portal in 2026, Updated Features, Performance, NoobFeed

Returning to the PlayStation Portal

We picked up the Portal when it first launched, made a video about it, and found it pretty decent overall. At the time, we were playing the PS5 a fair amount, so the Portal seemed cool. It had potential, but we would have liked to see it tapped more fully. As time went on and our PS5 use decreased, the Portal drifted out of mind, eventually sitting on an end table collecting dust.

While watching football during playoff season, we looked over, noticed the Portal, and decided it was time to boot it back up. It had been a long time since we last checked it out, and with the recent update at the end of 2025 adding major new features, we were curious whether the experience had improved.

Streaming From a PS5 in Rest Mode

To start, we streamed a game while the PS5 was in rest mode. We chose Gran Turismo 7, the game we've played most on PlayStation. Being a graphically impressive racing game, it relies heavily on a high sense of speed, responsiveness, and minimal input lag. If the input delay were noticeable, the game would be unplayable.

Surprisingly, the gameplay performed very well. We didn't feel substantial input lag, and the experience was pleasant overall. The game looked nice on the 1080p screen. It was obviously different from an OLED TV, but it was still impressive for on-the-go use. The Portal didn't make any mistakes during the run; the user was at fault.

It was easy to get to settings like screen brightness and output resolution, and the home menu worked as it should. These features were accessible at launch, so there's nothing new here, but they're still good. Previously, however, this was basically where the Portal ended. You had to be connected to your PS5, which needed to be on or in rest mode.

New Features After the Update

With the latest update, the Portal can now do more. After disconnecting from the PS5, it no longer becomes a brick; instead, it offers new options—specifically, the ability to stream games you own or titles from the PlayStation Store.

We tried out Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which we didn't have on our PS5 but could still stream because we owned it. The performance was good, with no obvious input lag and a clear picture, even though the screen's brightness was a little strange. Changing the brightness impacts the whole image, not just the bright areas. However, this is a minor issue given the display type.

A common online narrative suggests that some players put in only a few hours before quitting the game. To be clear, we're more than 25 hours in and on chapter 10 of 14. The Portal ran the game smoothly, even with the padding problems.

PlayStation Portal in 2026, Updated Features, Performance, NoobFeed

Testing a PlayStation Plus Premium Game

Next, we decided to try out a game that came with PlayStation Plus Premium but that we didn't possess. Things start to become extremely intriguing here. Technically, you could buy a Portal and PS Plus Premium and play supported games without owning a PS5.

We chose Mortal Kombat 1. We hadn't played it in a long time and had forgotten moves, so our gameplay wasn't the focus—performance was. Fighting games depend on precision and responsiveness, and once again, the Portal delivered.

It played and looked extremely well, far better than expected. Because to platform limits, we couldn't show several harsh actions, but the performance was still quite well overall.

Purchasing and Streaming Games Without a PS5

You could also buy a PS5 game on your PlayStation account and play it on the Portal without having a PS5. This is because you can stream games you own without having them installed on a PS5.

We searched for Need for Speed Unbound. It appeared, but Sony currently requires scanning a QR code to purchase it instead of allowing direct purchase on the Portal. Sony has to work on this; the functionality is good.

Who the Portal Works Best For

The quality of the internet is very important for the Portal. Weak networks, like hotel Wi-Fi, won't work. But for someone with a good internet connection, a lot of people watching TV at the same time, or someone who likes to play games while watching anything else, the Portal is surprisingly good.

The improvements have made it worth a lot more. The device feels more complete now, with fewer limits and more options than when it first came out. The Portal is much better now than when it first came out, but whether it's worth purchasing depends on your position.

Also, check our other Handheld articles :

Tanvir Kabbo

Senior Editor, NoobFeed

No Data.