PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal is a handheld companion to Sony’s PlayStation 5 console. Based around the features of a DualSense controller and Remote Play, it features an eight-inch LCD screen at 1080p resolution capable of 60fps, a headphone jack for wired audio.
Backbone One
The Backbone One gaming controller turns your smartphone into a gaming console. This addition slots easily onto your Android or iOS device (depending on the version you choose) and enables you to play PS5 or Xbox Series X|S games remotely and on the go through your phone. Play any controller-supported game with its analog sticks, accessible buttons, and familiar form factor.
Handheld gaming has come a long way since we were secretly playing ourGame Boysafter dark, using anything we could find as a light source so we could see the screen. Not only thanks to dedicated consoles like theNintendo Switchand theSteam Deck, but also accessories that allow us to play pretty much any game imaginable in handheld mode without the need for a big TV.
The leading ways to do that, particularly if you own aPS5, are through thePlayStation Portaland the Backbone One. If you’ve dared to suggest you’re considering a Portal, you’ve likely been asked, “Why don’t you just buy a Backbone?”, or someone who already owns one has bragged about it to you. It’s a valid question, but the Backbone One isn’t for everyone. If you want to play more games in handheld but don’t know which device to go for, hopefully our guide on the differences between the two below will help you make an informed decision.
8 to 10 hours
Uses phone battery
8-inch LCD screen
Uses phone screen
$199.99
$99.99
530g
138g
Headset support
3.5mm audio input jack
Gaming On The Go
One of the main reasons for owning a handheld gaming device is so you can play games on the go, so the first thing you need to know when deciding between a Backbone One and PlayStation Portal is where exactly you can use it. In theory, each device can be used anywhere. In reality, there are caveats. Take the Portal, for example. It needs a WiFi connection to communicate with your PS5. That also means the PS5 needs to be turned on for the Portal to be functional. The console can be turned on via the PS app though, so you don’t technically need to be at home to make the most of it.
The Backbone One is a little different. Since it is merely a device that turns your phone into the machine through which you stream and play your games, it doesn’t need a WiFi connection, just a mobile signal strong enough to communicate with your console. It’s also easier to bring with you as when your phone isn’t connected, the Backbone One folds down for easy storage. The Portal, on the other hand, is rather bulky in comparison. Although since it needs WiFi to work, it’s unlikely you’ll be using it much while traveling anyway.
Price
Wondering how easy a device will be to carry with you and use on the go is all well and good, but let’s be honest. Even if we don’t mean to, more often than not, the first thing we check is how much each of the items we’re comparing costs. When it comes to the Portal and the Backbone, there’s a bigger gulf in price than you might expect. At $199.99, PlayStation’s Portal costs twice as much as the Backbone One. Don’t make your decision just yet though, as there’s a very good reason for the Portal costing so much more than its competitor.
As noted above, although the Backbone lets you play home console games handheld, it isn’t technically the Backbone you’re playing those games on. It’s the phone you clip into the Backbone, and that’s why it costs so much less than the Portal. PlayStation’s handheld device is the whole kaboodle. Effectively aDualSensethat has been split in half and a screen stuck in the middle, there’s no phone needed. Yes, it’s going to cost you twice as much, but you’re getting a heck of a lot more tech for that extra money, and your phone won’t be otherwise engaged while you’re gaming like it will be with the Backbone.
Compatibility
When buying a handheld device that needs to be paired with a console to work, making sure it’s compatible with the console you plan on pairing it with is the most important thing of all. Needless to say, the Portal is compatible with the PS5, and only the PS5. While it can be used to playPS4games running on your PS5, it cannot be paired with an older PlayStation console. Unless you have a PS5 with which to pair it, the Portal is useless.
The Backbone One is a little more flexible since the product isn’t manufactured by one of the big console creators. You can use it to play PlayStation games on PS4 or PS5 via remote play or log in toGame Passso you can take someXboxgames for a spin. Even the PlayStation Edition of the Backbone One can be used to play non-PlayStation games. The PS Backbone is PlayStation-related in design alone, modeled after the DualSense. However, it doesn’t limit you to just using it to play PlayStation games.
What’s Right For You?
If you’re looking for an easy way to play your console games in handheld mode on something you’re able to take on the road with you, then the Backbone One is the better option here. It’s also the cheaper option, and that’s because the PlayStation Portal is an official product directly tied to the PS5 that aims to offer an immersive experience despite that experience being moved to a far smaller screen. If your TV is usually otherwise occupied and you want an experience as close to playing your PS5 games on the big screen anywhere in the house, and you don’t mind the price difference, the Portal should be the product you pick.
The PlayStation Portal is right for you if:
The Backbone One is right for you if:
FAQ
Can You Play Every Game On The PlayStation Portal?
Not only can you only play games installed on your PS5 on the PlayStation Portal, but you can’t stream games available throughPlayStation Plus. Any games you want to play through your Portal need to be installed on your console first.
Can You Play The Backbone One Away From Home?
As long as you have a stable internet connection, whether it be WiFi or mobile, then the Backbone One can be used to play games. If you’re using it to play PlayStation games, then the console it is paired with needs to be switched on.
