A hobbyist engineer has managed to transform a standard Sony PlayStation 4 Slim into a fully portable handheld console, complete with a 7 inch OLED display, built in controls, and up to three hours of battery life.
The project, shared on Reddit by user wewillmakeitnow, essentially shrinks the guts of a PS4 Slim into something that looks closer to a chunky handheld gaming device than a living room console. By miniaturizing the original motherboard, removing the disc drive, and designing a custom 3D printed case, the creator turned what was once a stationary system into a self contained portable machine, Tom’s Hardware reports.
At first glance, the device resembles a cross between a classic PSP and a Nintendo DS. It features integrated PlayStation style controls, embedded LEDs under the buttons, and even a small secondary screen that displays real time stats like power draw and temperature. Despite its DIY roots, the build looks surprisingly polished and closer to a finished product than a rough prototype.
Internally, the modder redesigned key components to make the console practical on the go. A new power delivery system and custom cooling setup keep thermals in check, while an onboard ESP32 microcontroller runs firmware that monitors temperatures and can shut the system down if voltages spike too high. A rear fan and protective fuses add another layer of safety, addressing one of the biggest challenges of squeezing console hardware into a tight portable shell.
Power comes from six high capacity 21700 battery cells, delivering roughly 130 watt hours. In real world use, that translates to about 2.7 to 3 hours of gameplay for lighter titles, dropping to around 90 minutes when running more demanding games. It is not all day endurance, but enough for commutes or short sessions away from an outlet.
The handheld also includes practical extras. An HDMI port allows it to connect to an external display and function like a regular console when plugged in. Multiple USB C ports and the original DualShock antenna hardware enable standard controller pairing and accessories.
While this is not the first attempt to make a portable PS4, the combination of a crisp OLED screen and relatively clean design sets this build apart. The creator describes it as a personal engineering challenge rather than a commercial product, but it highlights how far enthusiast modding has come.
For now, it is a one off project. Still, it offers a glimpse of what older consoles might look like if they were redesigned for a handheld future.