If you've got a PlayStation Portal or have been eyeing one, here's some exciting (though still unconfirmed) news that could make the handheld a lot more appealing: Sony might be working on a refreshed version featuring a shiny new OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The rumor comes from reliable leaker Zuby_Tech, who shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the company is planning to swap out the current 8-inch LCD screen for a high-end OLED panel capable of hitting 120Hz. If this turns out to be true, it would mark a pretty significant upgrade for the Portal, which launched back in late 2023 as a dedicated remote play device for streaming PS5 games.
Right now, the standard PlayStation Portal comes with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen that delivers solid 1080p resolution gameplay at up to 60fps. It's a perfectly fine screen - sharp, colorful, and big enough for comfortable handheld sessions - but it doesn't quite match the deep blacks, punchy contrast, and vibrant colors that OLED technology is famous for. Switching to OLED would bring those classic advantages: inky true blacks, more vivid visuals, and overall better picture quality, especially in darker game scenes or when playing in varied lighting conditions.
The jump to 120Hz is particularly interesting. While most PS5 games (especially big AAA titles and story-driven ones) are still capped at 60fps, plenty of competitive and performance-focused games already support higher frame rates on the console itself. A 120Hz display on the Portal could make those smoother experiences feel even more fluid when streamed - assuming Sony eventually updates the streaming protocol to take full advantage of it. Some speculate this could also be forward-thinking prep for future hardware like the rumored PS6, where higher frame rates might become more common.
Of course, OLED isn't without trade-offs. One big concern that always comes up with OLED screens is burn-in risk - that permanent ghosting that can happen if static elements (like HUDs, health bars, or menus) stay on screen for too long. The Portal, being a streaming device that often displays the same interface elements for hours, could be somewhat vulnerable to this. Sony dealt with a similar situation years ago with the PlayStation Vita: the original PS Vita (the 1000 model) launched with a beautiful OLED screen, but Sony switched to LCD for the slimmer PS Vita 2000 version, reportedly due to cost concerns and to avoid burn-in complaints.
The current Portal has been a surprisingly strong performer for Sony. Priced at around $199.99 in the US (or about 29,980 yen in Japan), it has carved out a nice niche for people who want to play their PS5 library away from the TV - whether that's in bed, on the couch while someone else watches something, or even outside the home thanks to recent cloud streaming additions via PS Plus Premium. Sony has also kept supporting it with software updates that have improved the experience over time.
So far, Sony hasn't made any official comment on this rumor, and details like a potential release date, final name (some are calling it "PlayStation Portal Pro"), price, or other possible upgrades (better battery? improved Wi-Fi?) remain completely unknown. Leaks like this can sometimes change or get delayed, but if Sony is serious about doubling down on the Portal as a long-term product, giving it a premium OLED screen feels like a logical next step to keep it fresh in 2026 and beyond.
For now, it's just an intriguing rumor - but one that has a lot of Portal owners and potential buyers quietly hoping it's real. An OLED version could turn an already convenient gadget into something truly special for PS5 fans who love playing on the go.
