In a surprise twist, leaked images reveal Sony’s upcoming Project Q handheld will run on a modified version of Android instead of a proprietary operating system. This opens up exciting possibilities for cloud gaming on the go.
If true, Project Q could support streaming services like GeForce NOW, Boosteroid, and Xbox Cloud direct from the device. Given its rumored 1080p display and snappy Wi-Fi connection to PS5 consoles, Project Q has the potential to become the ultimate portable cloud gaming machine.
Sony Unveils Project Q: A New Way to Stream PS5 Games on the Go
But will Sony allow full-blown Android and access to third-party game streaming apps? Or will they restrict and tweak Android to focus on PS5 remote play and lock down the ecosystem? Sony has taken a walled garden approach before with the PS Vita, which hampered its appeal.
Early reports peg Project Q’s battery life at just 3-4 hours. That’s far lower than the 12 hours boasted by Logitech’s G Cloud handheld, or the 7 hours of the Steam Deck. Frequent gaming sessions on Project Q might require packing a bulky battery pack.
However, if Sony embraces Android more openly, Project Q could evolve into a versatile handheld for cloud gaming, music, videos, apps and more. Done right, it could compete with the Nintendo Switch in portability and pick up where the PS Vita left off. But Sony will need to nail that battery life first.
Project Q remains shrouded in mystery for now. But the Android rumors offer the first tantalizing clue into how Sony’s new portable will balance power, flexibility and performance when it launches later this year.
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