Portable PS4 Handheld Runs Games Natively Offline

The gaming community just witnessed something incredible: a talented modder known as wewillmakeitnow has successfully created a fully functional portable PS4 based on the Slim version. Unlike streaming devices such as PlayStation Portal, this custom handheld runs PS4 games natively without requiring internet connection or dealing with streaming lag.

Technical Marvel: How This Portable PS4 Works

The modder carefully extracted the PS4 Slim motherboard and optimized it for portable use. The PS4 APU stays cool thanks to a custom cooling system featuring optimized heatsinks and improved airflow design. An ESP32 microcontroller with custom firmware manages temperature monitoring, battery levels, and safe system shutdowns.

The device sports a gorgeous 7-inch OLED screen with 1080p resolution, perfect for experiencing titles like God of War or Spider-Man on the go. The 3D-printed ABS case keeps everything compact and durable, with USB ports for controllers and storage, plus an HDMI output for TV connection.

Battery Performance Details

Powered by six 21700 battery cells delivering 130Wh capacity, the portable PS4 battery life varies by game intensity:

• Light indie games: up to 3 hours
• AAA titles: approximately 1.3-1.5 hours

Why This PS4 Handheld Excites Gamers

This DIY PS4 handheld arrives amid growing demand for portable gaming solutions. While Sony’s Portal offers streaming capabilities, enthusiasts crave native game execution. Industry insiders suggest Sony is developing a genuine PlayStation handheld for the PS6 era (2026-2027), potentially featuring power between Xbox Series S and PS5.

Unfortunately, this remains a personal project without plans for commercial release or public guides. However, it demonstrates that a portable PS4 concept is technically feasible, potentially inspiring Sony’s future handheld ambitions in the competitive gaming handheld market alongside Steam Deck and upcoming Switch 2.