Project Q Leaked Pictures Show the Handheld Is Running Android

A few hours ago, three leaked pictures of Sony’s upcoming handheld codenamed Project Q were shared on IMGUR and subsequently posted on Reddit.

The images provide a glimpse into the inside of the handheld console when the screen is removed. The most important detail, though, is that Project Q seems to be running on Android OS.

This was one of the biggest question marks users had after the announcement made during the last PlayStation Showcase following months of rumors.

Sony’s console is being advertised as focused on Remote Play streaming from a PlayStation 5 console. Here’s the official description:

Project Q is a dedicated device launching later this year that enables you to play any compatible game installed on your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi. With a vibrant 8-inch LCD screen capable of up to 1080p resolution at 60fps, the device delivers crisp visuals and smooth gameplay streamed from your PS5 when you’re away from your TV.

However, if Project Q does indeed run on Android (albeit modified) instead of a custom OS like the PlayStation Vita, odds are that modders will find a way to enable streaming applications like GeForce NOW, Shadow, Boosteroid, Amazon Luna, and Xbox Cloud. Should that be the case, the handheld console could then be considered a viable alternative to devices like the Logitech G Cloud or the Abxylute.

However, according to insider Tom Henderson, Sony’s upcoming handheld will deliver subpar battery life of around three to four hours. For comparison, the Logitech G Cloud is advertised for over twelve hours, while the Abxylute is capable of over eight hours of gameplay.

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One advantage of Project Q is that it comes with a full-fledged DualSense wireless controller featuring all of the buttons and functionality, including Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback. However, that’ll only be useful when streaming PS5 games. While some PC games do support DualSense’s Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, that’s not the case when streaming.

Project Q doesn’t have a launch window yet, other than a generic ‘later this year’. It is supposed to launch near another PlayStation accessory, the first-ever wireless earbuds with Sony’s gaming brand. According to the manufacturer, it’ll deliver lossless audio with low latency for a high-quality audio experience on both PlayStation 5 and PC.