New Rumor Claims Sony Is Working On "Portable" PS6

On the heels of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, there is a new rumor that suggests that Sony will follow up the PlayStation 5 with a PlayStation 6, which will have a portable version of the console. Unsurprisingly, this alleged PS6 handheld version would be less powerful than the current base model PS5. Like any rumor, this information should be given its due skepticism, as Sony has made no official comment about any new console. But given the popularity of the Switch, the PlayStation Portal, and handheld PCs, it is certainly a possibility that Sony is exploring this option.

The supposed leak comes from KeplerL2 on NeoGaf (viaInsider Gaming), a user who previously claimed to leak other unconfirmed information about the next-gen console. The leaker claims the purported portable PS6 won't be as powerful as the base PlayStation 5.

KeplerL2 claims that it’s"a 15w [watt] SoC [system on a chip] on 3nm,"which may give some idea of what to expect regarding power level. The Steam Deck'sTDP (thermal design power) is 15w, while the base PS5 itself has a 200w TDP. No claims were made on whether this supposed portable PS6 will be a hybrid console like the Switch or a completely separate purchase.

Will Sony Make The Change To A Hybrid Console?

Sony Does Have A History Of Following Trends

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 150 million units, compared to around 75 million PS5 units sold to date. With the Switch 2 having comparable specs to a Steam Deck and a PS4, it may be in Sony's interest to pursue the hybrid console model that Nintendo popularized. If Sony does chase that strategy, it certainly won't be the first time Sony has followed trends set by other companies. Sony released the PlayStation Move controller in an attempt to bring the Wii's popular motion controls over to its own console.

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Sony has also made its own version of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass with additional free downloadable games with PlayStation Plus subscriptions as well, seemingly trying to leverage the extensive PlayStation library with a version of the popular game service available on Xbox and PC. Of course, a PS6 has not been even announced, and whenever it is, this supposed "handheld" version could be a completely separate purchase from the eventual PS6.

Our Take: A Handheld PS6 Would Make Sense

But There Are A Ton Of Questions

Custom Image by Lee D'Amato

Chasing the popularity of the Nintendo Switch with a handheld PS6 would make a lot of sense. Sony has already dabbled with bringing back handheld gaming options with the well-received PlayStation Portal. Being able to take Kratos's or Ellie's huge adventures on the go and not require a constant internet connection could be a viable strategy for Sony, if these rumors amount to any solid information.

It's hard to expect a handheld console to be as powerful as a home console, so the rumor that the PS6 portable will be less powerful than the PS5 isn't surprising. Five years into the PS5's lifecycle, it still remains to be seen what Sony will officially do with a PlayStation 6, and all of these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, but Sony looking to others for its next moves wouldn't be uncharacteristic.

Source: KeplerL2/NeoGaf, Insider Gaming