Update for the PlayStation Portal: Sony launches battery protection function
Load limit, system maintenance and forced updates: Sony delivers update 7.1.7 for the PlayStation Portal. The handheld now stops charging the battery at 80 percent. And: Paired audio hardware suddenly requires an update on the computer.
New charging limit protects the battery
Sony has released system software 7.1.7 for PlayStation Portal. The update for the streaming device is now available worldwide. The most important innovation: After installation, the integrated battery only charges up to 80 percent by default. The limitation is intended to protect the built-in lithium-ion battery; the principle is already known. Batteries age faster if they are continuously charged at maximum voltage. This particularly affects users who often operate the device at a charging station. There are no plans to replace batteries by customers.
The limitation can be removed in the system settings under the Battery menu item. Like the portal play.de reported, the manufacturer warns against permanent full charging. This could affect the long-term performance of the hardware.
Forced updates for audio accessories
The update also affects users of wireless audio devices. Headphones such as Pulse Explore and the Pulse Elite headset must be updated when used with PlayStation Portal. Without the latest firmware, an audio connection via PlayStation Link is not possible. The accessories cannot be updated directly from the handheld.
Users must connect the USB adapter to a PlayStation 5 or PC to install the software. Version 7.1.7 also contains further system optimizations. According to the official release notes, the update includes the following:
A timely update is recommended to avoid possible security risks.
Evolution of the streaming handheld
PlayStation Portal launched at the end of 2023. The device is not a standalone console, but serves as a receiving device for remote play. The games are calculated on a PlayStation 5 and streamed onto the eight-inch LCD display. This offers 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. The project was initially codenamed Project Q.
The housing is visually and haptically based on a centrally divided DualSense controller. It has, among other things, adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. In November 2025, Sony added cloud streaming to the range of functions. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers have since been able to play selected titles over the Internet without having to turn on their own console.
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