Sony's upcoming PlayStation 6 handheld may be less powerful than the PS5

[Daniel Sims]

Recap: Playing modern high-end games on handheld devices, even with technical compromises, was considered impossible before the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck arrived. Their success has likely inspired Sony and Microsoft: the latter plans to leverage the emerging handheld PC market, and reports indicate a handheld companion to the PlayStation 6 is in the works.

A prolific leaker recently provided basic hardware specs indicating that a rumored portable companion to the PlayStation 6 is significantly weaker than the company's current console. If the information proves accurate, it might conflict with prior reports that a handheld device designed to play PlayStation 5 games is in early development.

Late last year, Bloomberg reported that the project is likely years away from launch, and Sony might still decide against releasing it. It would build upon the PlayStation Portal – a successful handheld designed to stream PS5 software – to compete with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

According to KeplerL2, Sony's device will use a 3nm SoC that draws 15W, likely falling far short of the horsepower to play PS5 games natively. However, those specs could significantly outperform today's handhelds. In comparison, the Steam Deck utilizes a 6nm 15W APU, the Asus ROG Ally X employs a 4nm chip that can reach 30W, and the Switch 2 runs on an 8nm SoC at an unspecified wattage. In light of this, developers could conceivably patch PS5 games to add "portable" modes for a new Sony handheld.

The recent rumors support Kepler's earlier leaks, which indicated that Sony is developing two SoCs for the PlayStation 6, one of which could power a portable variant. The designs, set for A0 tapeout later this year, utilize AMD's upcoming Zen 6 and UDNA architectures.

Zen 6 CPUs will mostly utilize 3nm transistors but might also incorporate components based on a 2nm node and are expected to debut in consumer PCs next year, with the PS6 following in 2027 or 2028. Meanwhile, UDNA will succeed RDNA 4 graphics.

Microsoft also reportedly plans to release a new console in 2027, and an Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC is expected to emerge later this year. The portable device, codenamed "Keenan," will likely include functionality resembling the Asus ROG Ally but feature Microsoft's design language and introduce a handheld-oriented user interface for Windows. The company aims to combine "the best" of Xbox and Windows but hasn't specified how, igniting speculation that its future devices might land somewhere between PCs and consoles, similar to the Steam Deck.

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Sony's upcoming PlayStation 6 handheld may be less powerful than the PS5

 

[Eldrach]

If it’s even close to PS5 - it will be impressive at 15w

 

[yRaz]

If it’s even close to PS5 - it will be impressive at 15w

Kinda what I was thinking. It really doesn't take much to play games at 720p/768 these days and that's all the resolution you need on a hand held. Also, they'll likely be upscaled from 600 or 540p. 15W is plenty for a mobile device with those requirements compared to a wall connected device expected to do 4k

 

[dangh]

Obviously, a portable device targeting low res screens do not have to be as performant as living room 4k monster. If they do a compatibility well I wouldn't care about the performance, I'm fine with 720p/60fps.
The issue is tho with that compatibility... games are tailored for ps4/5 and large screens, meaning all game text or menus will be an issue. And I do not believe there is a proper separation of those in the code base. So to ensure a game is working a patch is needed. Some devs will make such patch, but many won't.
Nevertheless, if this device is meant to play same games on the same account I'm sold. All new games will have the compatibility build in and that's enough for me. And with the new amd ai chips that is actually doable. Cant wait to see that in action.

 

[yRaz]

Obviously, a portable device targeting low res screens do not have to be as performant as living room 4k monster. If they do a compatibility well I wouldn't care about the performance, I'm fine with 720p/60fps.
The issue is tho with that compatibility... games are tailored for ps4/5 and large screens, meaning all game text or menus will be an issue. And I do not believe there is a proper separation of those in the code base. So to ensure a game is working a patch is needed. Some devs will make such patch, but many won't.
Nevertheless, if this device is meant to play same games on the same account I'm sold. All new games will have the compatibility build in and that's enough for me. And with the new amd ai chips that is actually doable. Cant wait to see that in action.

Just a thought, considering this is a PS6 handheld, perhaps sony will only mandate support for PS6 titles with other titles being at the discretion of the developers. I'm sure the big, legacy titles will support it, but smaller games might not. Although, indie continue to surprise me so maybe the opposite is true.

It'll be interesting to see how this product performs.

 

[dangh]

Just a thought, considering this is a PS6 handheld, perhaps sony will only mandate support for PS6 titles with other titles being at the discretion of the developers. I'm sure the big, legacy titles will support it, but smaller games might not. Although, indie continue to surprise me so maybe the opposite is true.

It'll be interesting to see how this product performs.

that's what im afraid of as well. But thinking about it, pssr ai upscaler should render UI and text separately as a layer over the game. If that's true then many ps5 games should be easily transferable, or working ootb. And I believe that as soon as they decided on a handheld they will require compatibility on any new games onward. I think the only way this project will success is making as many (if not all) games compatible...

 

[The Talking Tech]

It will be less powerful the 5 year old PS5 and equally pricey as the PS5 Pro....mark words.

 

[dangh]

It will be less powerful the 5 year old PS5 and equally pricey as the PS5 Pro....mark words.

That's perfectly fine. If this handheld deliver similar performance than other handhelds in its price range, plus I can play games from psn store which I can buy quite cheaply on some sales, then all is good. You get gaming machine and media machine in one with a good value. Steam Deck probably offer more complete package, but at least it wouldn't be as crippled as a switch (2).

 

[yRaz]

that's what im afraid of as well. But thinking about it, pssr ai upscaler should render UI and text separately as a layer over the game. If that's true then many ps5 games should be easily transferable, or working ootb. And I believe that as soon as they decided on a handheld they will require compatibility on any new games onward. I think the only way this project will success is making as many (if not all) games compatible...

The UI is rendered separately from the 3D space in AI upscaling. the thing is, I'm worried that the GUI will need some tweaking to be visible on the tiny screen VS a 65" 4K TV for example

 

[dangh]

The UI is rendered separately from the 3D space in AI upscaling. the thing is, I'm worried that the GUI will need some tweaking to be visible on the tiny screen VS a 65" 4K TV for example

absolutely, but it is so much easier patch a small, well decoupled module with UI than having this old school combined. Initial issues with dlss was often related to ui being affected as it wasn't separated. In addition, some of those UI layers might have a nice interface to drive the size/shape/fonts via configuration files (or console os parameters) and that could even not need a developer patch. I guess we will see.

 

[The Talking Tech]

That's perfectly fine. If this handheld deliver similar performance than other handhelds in its price range, plus I can play games from psn store which I can buy quite cheaply on some sales, then all is good. You get gaming machine and media machine in one with a good value. Steam Deck probably offer more complete package, but at least it wouldn't be as crippled as a switch (2).

$800.00 bucks for a handheld only to play its games with lesser power than a 5 year old PS5?

No thank you, that would make the Switch 2 an absolute must buy.

 

[yRaz]

$800.00 bucks for a handheld only to play its games with lesser power than a 5 year old PS5?

No thank you, that would make the Switch 2 an absolute must buy.

It is in line with similar gaming handhelds amd I suspect it'll have an SOC similar to the ROG ally. it will be locked down to Playstation games instead of being a Linux or Windows handheld, which I argue takes away from the value. In the end, it's up to the consumer to see if the price is appropriate for them.

 

[The Talking Tech]

It is in line with similar gaming handhelds amd I suspect it'll have an SOC similar to the ROG ally. it will be locked down to Playstation games instead of being a Linux or Windows handheld, which I argue takes away from the value. In the end, it's up to the consumer to see if the price is appropriate for them.

I personally think that if a handheld is just locked down to PlayStation games with none of the flexibility of the existing handhelds then Sony will be securing SteamDeck's and Rog ally's further dominance in the market especially if that handheld gets to be more than $499.99

 

[yRaz]

I personally think that if a handheld is just locked down to PlayStation games with none of the flexibility of the existing handhelds then Sony will be securing SteamDeck's and Rog ally's further dominance in the market especially if that handheld gets to be more than $499.99

I agree, sony is over playing their hand. I'd argue this worth $600 if you're a big sony fan and already have an extensive library, but sony is also releasing many of their games on PC now, too.

 

[dangh]

$800.00 bucks for a handheld only to play its games with lesser power than a 5 year old PS5?

No thank you, that would make the Switch 2 an absolute must buy.

steam deck is less then 1.6 tflops, lenovo legion go is like 8 tflops, both less than ps5 and both great systems.

Switch is 0.15 tflops in handheld, switch 2 is 1.72 tflops.

ps5 is 10.3 tflops. If the Sony's handheld maintain lenovo level of 8 tflops, less than ps5, it would be absolutely great. And sony's hardware is usually cheaper than performance matching pc hardware. Legion starts at 730 eur so yeah, I would be very happy with that, but realistically it should be less, and 600 is very probable.

Yes, you will be playing ps5 games but on a 4 times smaller resolution. With slight optimization it could handle ps6 games as well (reduce textures, geometry and so on).

And no, that wouldn't make switch 2 a buy. Switch 2 is 10 times slower than ps5 pro, 6 times slower than ps5 and 4.5 times slower than lenovo go.

Switch do not have Netflix, Spotify, and have absurd pricing for games. Larger games will still run there like crap, potentially on Steam Deck level, but far from lenovo go level.

So for me it is either pc handheld like steam deck/legion for all around machine, or potentially sony's handheld for gaming and media. Price in 800 range is absolutely fine, goven performance and quality in this segment, and with the oled we already known from the sony's remote handheld this can be a great option.

 

[The Talking Tech]

steam deck is less then 1.6 tflops, lenovo legion go is like 8 tflops, both less than ps5 and both great systems.

Switch is 0.15 tflops in handheld, switch 2 is 1.72 tflops.

ps5 is 10.3 tflops. If the Sony's handheld maintain lenovo level of 8 tflops, less than ps5, it would be absolutely great. And sony's hardware is usually cheaper than performance matching pc hardware. Legion starts at 730 eur so yeah, I would be very happy with that, but realistically it should be less, and 600 is very probable.

Yes, you will be playing ps5 games but on a 4 times smaller resolution. With slight optimization it could handle ps6 games as well (reduce textures, geometry and so on).

And no, that wouldn't make switch 2 a buy. Switch 2 is 10 times slower than ps5 pro, 6 times slower than ps5 and 4.5 times slower than lenovo go.

Switch do not have Netflix, Spotify, and have absurd pricing for games. Larger games will still run there like crap, potentially on Steam Deck level, but far from lenovo go level.

So for me it is either pc handheld like steam deck/legion for all around machine, or potentially sony's handheld for gaming and media. Price in 800 range is absolutely fine, goven performance and quality in this segment, and with the oled we already known from the sony's remote handheld this can be a great option.

Ultimate most people care about the flexibility of their gaming systems that's why the SteamDeck and Rog ally are big sellers, the Switch 2 will only play Nintendo games, its cost even at $450.00 is already considered by many way overpriced, imagine a PlayStation only system going over $500.00 in which many of its games will find its way to PC version regardless.

As you can see Sony would have to abandon the PC strategy and make their handheld truly exclusive or face disaster alas PSvita by sharing the same content with the PS3.

 

[dangh]

Ultimate most people care about the flexibility of their gaming systems that's why the SteamDeck and Rog ally are big sellers, the Switch 2 will only play Nintendo games, its cost even at $450.00 is already considered by many way overpriced, imagine a PlayStation only system going over $500.00 in which many of its games will find its way to PC version regardless.

As you can see Sony would have to abandon the PC strategy and make their handheld truly exclusive or face disaster alas PSvita by sharing the same content with the PS3.

with 80 usd a game and with max 30% discounts switch 2 price doesn't really matter. And I agree that ps5 should change pc strategy to make the system more appealing. But I do not agree that 800 for a performing handheld is a bad price. With psn prices quickly going down and interesting sales it is still a solid option for gamers, who do not want to get on with pc handhelds quirks and limitations, while delivering great performance and providing media options. I guess will see, but I am kinda excited to see the return of handhelds. I might not even buy sonys one, but I think it can be very good for the customers.

 

[ZedRM]

Shouldn't they be calling this the PSP2 or PSP3 or something?

 

[ZedRM]

I might not even buy sonys one, but I think it can be very good for the customers.

The last time I bought a Sony console was PS4Pro. PS5 does not impress me. The godawful appearance of that ugly thing for one and the hardware wasn't impressive at all. If they can do much better with PS6 I might consider it. So far, it's not impressive.