April 25, 2025, 9:11 am | Read time: 3 minutes
What else does Sony have planned besides the PS6? Rumor has it that a PlayStation 6 handheld device is also in the works, with new information reportedly coming to light.
The video game market has always been fiercely competitive, and this applies not only to the games themselves. On the hardware side, major manufacturers in the industry are engaged in a fierce rivalry with their consoles. Alongside Nintendo with the Switch and Microsoft with the Xbox, Sony has firmly established itself with the PlayStation brand. Fans are already eager to see what the company plans next. The arrival of a PS6 seems inevitable sooner or later. Now, initial information about a PlayStation 6 handheld is making the rounds.
Sony Reportedly Planning PlayStation 6 handheld
Among others, TECHBOOK previously reported that the Japanese company is allegedly working on a new portable console. At that time, it was only mentioned that it would likely play PS5 games and could be released as a competitor to the Nintendo Switch. It is also said not to be a second PlayStation Portal.
In the meantime, the market has changed, as Nintendo has officially unveiled the Switch 2. So what is Sony doing in the meantime? According to a new leak in the NeoGAF forum, they are still committed to an additional mobile device. However, it is now said to be more specifically a PlayStation 6 handheld, according to leaker KeplerL2. This is reportedly being developed alongside the actual PS6.
Stronger Than the Xbox Series S, Weaker Than the PS5
If the rumors are true, the PlayStation 6 handheld (also called PS6 Portable or PS6P) will be able to play PS5 games without significant developer adjustments, thanks to the “Shader Binary Compatibility” technology.
Furthermore, the PS6P, like its stationary counterpart, is expected to be equipped with AMD chips. Due to its smaller size, fans will unsurprisingly have to accept some performance compromises. Allegedly, the device will be more powerful than the current Xbox Series S (which is less powerful than the Series X), but weaker than the standard PS5. The chip is said to be designed for lower voltages, which would benefit battery life.
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Since the PlayStation 6 handheld is expected to be weaker than the PS5, it could face performance issues despite modern technology. Developers would still do well to optimize their games accordingly.
For Sony, a portable PS6 would be a significant and bold return to the portable gaming console market segment. While the PSP, released in 2004, was a success with about 80 million units sold, the subsequent PS Vita turned out to be a colossal flop. Since then, devices like the Switch and the Steam Deck have been successful.