Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch

A new Sony handheld is on the way - competition for the Nintendo Switch?

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Following the announcement of Project Q by Sony, you may immediately spot some similarities to the Switch. So let’s compare – Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch. Just by looking at the Project Q, you may think it works just like a Switch, but there are some glaring differences to consider.

With the release date for the PlayStation device on it’s why, many people will want to find out how it compares to the popular Nintendo Switch. So, before you try and find out where to buy one, it’s probably best to do some research. We have you covered on both fronts.

We’ll be discussing everything from specs to price to make a fair comparison between the two handheld devices.

Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch specs & design

We first need to jump into one of the biggest details about the Project Q. It is not a standalone gamingl console like the PS Vita and PlayStation Portable (PSP) of old. Instead, it is an accessory for the PS5, as Sony described it in their PlayStation Showcase 2023 sneak peek. Since it’s not standalone and uses Remote Play to your PS5, it can be soon as one step above Nintendo’s own Wii U gamepad.

From the sneak peek, we actually know a few crucial things about the specs of Project Q. The design is pretty comparable to the Switch too. It looks just like a PS5 controller with a screen in between, and that’s essentially what it is. Sony announced that Project Q will feature the same buttons and features that you can find on the DualSense wireless controller. In other words, specs such as dynamic adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and in-built microphone.

Here’s how some specs can compare between the Project Q and Nintendo Switch.

	Project Q	Nintendo Switch
Display type	LCD (rumored)	LCD (Nintendo Switch) / OLED (Nintendo Switch OLED)
Screen Size	8 inch	6.2 inch / 7 inch for OLED version
Resolution	1920×1080	1280×720 (on handheld), supports up to 1080p on external display
Refresh rate	60Hz (rumored)	60 Hz
Connectivity	Wi-Fi for PS5 Remote Play	HDMI for external display (optional)

PS5 vs Nintendo Switch specs

We mostly compared the display features of the Project Q and Nintendo Switch above, because that’s what Project Q delivers, alongside the DualSense features. We thought we should do a quick rundown on the PS5 vs Switch to show you how the power between the two consoles varies massively – just before taking you through the performance.

PS5 specs:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen Zen 2 – 8 cores / 16 threads
• GPU: Oberon RDNA 2, 2304 shading units
• RAM: 16GB GDDR6, 256-bit memory bus , 448GB/s bandwidth
• Storage: 825GB NVMe SSD

Nintendo Switch specs:

• CPU & GPU: Nvidia customized Tegra processor, on-board graphics, 256 stream processors
• RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4, 25.6 GB/s bandwidth
• Storage: 32GB eMMC NAN flash / 64GB for OLED model

Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch performance

Since the Project Q is streaming from your PS5, you can expect much better performance on the Project Q based on the power of the two rival consoles. The Nintendo Switch is a much more lightweight device – it’s CPU, GPU, and other core specs are of course on-board. The Switch therefore aims for 60 FPS gameplay on it’s 720p screen, while you may see reduced framerates when bumping up to a 1080p display through HDMI.

The PS5 itself n the other hand is capable of 4K, though the Project Q display is just 1080p. This means you could potentially enjoy a steady 60 FPS or higher. One thing to remember though is that you are using the PS5 Remote Play feature. Importantly, this relies on your Wi-Fi connection, so the quality could be diminished or you’ll experience input lag, especially on a shoddy network connection.

Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch price

Now for the price. We don’t yet have a price for the upcoming Project Q handheld, but we certainly do for the Nintendo Switch. As you may know, the Nintendo Switch has two main models to choose from, as well as the Switch Lite for the most budget option.

• Nintendo Switch price: $299.99
• Nintendo Switch OLED price: $349.99
• Nintendo Switch Lite price: $199.99

These are just the introductory prices, so you can find them cheaper these days. The original Switch released way back in 2017, so it’s had plenty of time to drop in price. As for the Project Q, there is no official price, but some rumors place it as high as $300. If this is the case, then it’s going to be a tough sell unless you’re already a PS5 with a specific need for a new device to Remote Play from. It’s likely it will sit within the $200 range based on current predictions.

Which is better – Sony handheld Project Q or Nintendo Switch?

Picking the best between these really depends on your needs and current situation. If you already own a PS5, then the Project Q may be a nice accessory to add to your collection. The Nintendo Switch is a whole different ballpark, as it’s a console in and of itself.

We’d say the Switch definitely provides more value overall, even if it’s specs aren’t as powerful. If you want a new handheld console, then definitely go with the Switch. For handheld gaming on the Project Q, you first need a PS5 and then the extra accessory on top. A nice peripheral, but we’d say it doesn’t have the pull of the highly-popular Nintendo Switch.

Sony handheld Project Q vs Nintendo Switch FAQs

Can I play on Project Q handheld without a PS5?

No, it’s not possible to play games on the Project Q without a PS5. The handheld device works via Remote Play to your PS5 to stream games.

Do I need a TV to play on Nintendo Switch?

You can play games on your Nintendo Switch without a TV. The device itself includes a 720p screen, for both the original and OLED models. You can however connect to your TV for up to 1080p gameplay via a HDMI cable.