A PlayStation executive has revealed in a new interview with Game File that the handheld PS Portal device is proving a lot more popular than the company expected. Hiromi Wakai, the VP of production management, explained “demand has continued to exceed our expectations” and so Sony is now focusing its efforts on “shipping more units consistently”.
Demand for the device has far outweighed the amount of stock retailers can offer since its November 2023 launch, so Sony will “continue to bring more units to the market” as quickly as it can. In the interview, Wakai admits the PS Portal “was intended to be a product best suited for people with specific needs and those who want to play in a specific way”, so initial reactions upon its announcement matched what Sony was expecting. To speak of the increased demand after launch, Wakai theorises early adopters are spreading positive word about the device to others.
Sony is yet to share official sales numbers for the PS Portal, though USA game sales tracking division Circana said it was the fifth best-selling accessory in terms of consumer spending last month. The bottleneck for it not charting higher, of course, is the simple fact there aren’t enough on retailer websites for people to purchase, thus fuelling the current stock issues. However, according to Wakai, it’s an issue Sony is aware of and is hoping to rectify soon.
Are you a happy PS Portal owner, or someone still trying to buy one? Let us know in the comments below.
Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
