Maybe Sony needs to rethink about Xperia Play / PlayStation Phone / PSP / PS Vita?
or I dub the PlayStation Xperia, PSX
Yes, now probably it’s the best time for Sony to release a real gaming phone. Competitive mobile gaming on the rise. You can remotely play games from your PS4 / PC to your mobile and with Google releasing its game streaming and distribution platform, Stadia, along with Microsoft’s Project xCloud. Once Apple iPhone adopts the 5G network, the entire world will be pushing for it. Gaming on mobile will be your wildest dream since the Gameboy. So what does it takes to be a real gaming phone?
The Phawx mentioned at the beginning of this video, “I do not consider a gaming phone, something that is just a rectangle with high-end specs.” I agree with him, giving a phone with all the latest processors, high refresh rate display and big battery are like any other flagship phones. Giving them “gamer” aesthetic, better cooling system, and RGB lighting are not doing any justice for that extra cost. Without physical controllers attached to the phone, any flagship phone can be called a gaming phone, and almost any phone can play games on it.
Neither here nor there
Today, there’s a wide selection of controllers made for the phone that you can choose from. And console controllers are compatible with it, all you need is an attachment that holds your phone and controller together. But the hassle of bringing an extra controller around, aren’t as convenient as carrying a wireless earbud case. They are bulky, have a battery that you will need to recharge and not there with you whenever you need it unless you always have it in your pocket.
Years ago, Nvidia launched the Nvidia Shield Portable, a clamshell design Android device with a physical controller, for the same reason so that you could stream games from their services, GeForce NOW. But the device itself didn’t gain any traction, and probably the idea was too early at the time. A few other Chinese companies also created a couple of Android devices with a controller built into it, like the GPD XD (similar to the Nintendo DS) and Snail Mobile MOQI i7S (identical to the PSP / PS Vita). These devices are targeted at people who want an alternative to portable gaming, “don’t want to spend that much on gaming” and emulation. The skinned Android OS often than not feels non-premium, unpolished, and weirdly it feels like an unripe fruit. You know the fruit is going to be sweet and tasty, just that it hasn’t hit the sweet spot.
The sweet spot? Is where you can hide the game pad away and be normal phone. Brings it back in a snap when you want to game.
But I kinda want to see Sony doing it more than Google.
So why Sony?
They have experience in the past with portable gaming devices like the Playstation Portable (PSP), PSP GO, PS Vita, and Xperia Play. Next, imagine two departments join forces, both from Xperia (phone) and PlayStation (gaming), working hand in hand to create a real gaming phone. So here are two of my simple concept.
The classic sliding mechanism
Started with the Razer “Junglecat” concept case, then the Google Pixel / Stadia concept phone then this.
The split sideways sliding mechanism
The idea is to use both sides like a regular gamepad or “touchroller,” a term defined by Gamesir, which combines both gamepad (direction joystick side and triggers) and touchscreen controls for games like Mobile Legends, a MOBA game. Some of the action controls are designed for touchscreen, for example, to cast a spell in a direction you want to unleash, you tap the spell icon and swipe towards the target. Slightly harder to perform on a regular gamepad.
Wishful Tech Specs
📱 Lastest mobile CPU and GPU
📷 Dual Camera Setup — Standard and Ultra Wide
🤯 Using the right trigger buttons to take photos.
🔋 At least 5000 mAh battery
💾 128GB Storage and expandable microSD slot
📺 16:9 aspect ratio, at least 6.5-inch display
🔊 Symmetrical speaker design on landscape mode
🎮 Being able to use it as a PlayStation controller
📲 Built-in touch mapping controls app
⚡ Second charging port on the side — similar to ROG phone 2
Not a competitor to Nintendo Switch
Sony, please do not release the next generation, PS Vita, to compete with Nintendo, you need an edge here. Unless Playstation 5 is a similar concept, I could only imagine it’s the same handheld, but when you dock it, it’s connected to an eGPU to boost graphic performance. But that will be another concept for another day.
Endnote
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or send me a message on Twitter @theglimy . Everything wrote here is my individual opinion, not relating to any company whatsoever.
