Sony is reportedly planning to release a Nintendo Switch-style hybrid gaming handheld alongside its next-generation console, the PlayStation 6. A new leak has revealed an alleged PS6 handheld computer, along with details on the chipset powering the device, performance specs and possible pricing. Sony currently offers a remote player for the PS5 and has previously been reported to be developing a handheld device that can run PlayStation games natively.
PS6 handheld console will run on AMD APU
The leak comes from Moore’s Law Is Dead, a YouTube channel known for its accurate coverage of gaming hardware. According to reports, Sony plans to launch the PS6 handheld console at the same time as the traditional PS6 home game console. The channel claims that the PS6 handheld will be powered by an AMD APU, according to the “latest” documents obtained from AMD sources.
According to reports, the PS6 handheld console will be able to be connected to a TV, just like the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. According to reports, the device will support backward compatibility with PS5 and PS4 games.
Sony now offers PlayStation Portal remote player for PS5
Image source: Sony
PS6 handheld console expected specifications
According to leaked documents, the PS6 handheld will allegedly run on an AMD “Canis” APU, which features four Zen 6c cores, as well as two additional Zen 6 LP cores dedicated to the operating system to keep non-gaming tasks away from the main gaming core. Four Zen 6c cores will reportedly power the RDNA 5 graphics card’s 16 compute units, clocking in at 1.2Ghz in handheld mode and around 1.65Ghz in docked mode.
The PS6 handheld console is also said to be equipped with a 192-bit memory bus, supporting up to 48GB LPDDR5X RAM. The channel also showed off leaked renders of AMD’s APU, which will reportedly power the handheld device. The handheld device will also reportedly feature a MicroSD slot, M.2 SSD slot, haptic, touchscreen, and dual microphones.
Citing leaked documents, the channel also claimed some performance indicators of the PS6 hybrid handheld console. In docked mode, the device will reportedly outperform the base PS5 if FSR 4 support is taken into account. This only applies to games optimized specifically for handheld devices, though; performance output may be “slightly lower” in unpatched games.
PlayStation Portable (PSP) is the first handheld game console in the PlayStation series of game consoles
Image source: Sony
PS6 handheld console expected pricing, release window
The channel also predicted the possible price of the PS6 handheld console based on parts cost estimates. The video claims that “Moore’s Law is dead” and “if Sony wants to, the price of this device can easily match that of the Switch 2.” The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 in the United States. The PS6 handheld console may be priced between $399 and $499 (approximately between Rs 35,000 and Rs 44,000)
Finally, the PlayStation hybrid handheld is expected to launch in fall 2027, with production scheduled for mid-2027. This launch window is consistent with previous reports that the PS6 home console could launch in 2027, given that its chip design is ready. Keep in mind that Sony has yet to confirm its plans for a gaming handheld or discuss its plans for its next-generation console. Details about expected specifications, pricing, actual performance, and plans to bring the device to market are subject to change.
A new Sony handheld device has been an open industry secret for the past year, although the company has yet to discuss its plans for future devices. In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that Sony was in the early stages of developing a handheld game console to compete with the Nintendo Switch. Reports at the time claimed that the device could run PS5 games natively. Around the same time, Digital Foundry also claimed that Sony might have a prototype of the handheld device ready.
Sony currently offers PlayStation Portal, a PS5 remote player that can only stream games and media from a connected PS5 console over a Wi-Fi connection. This requires the device to be paired with a PS5, which must be in rest mode to enable remote play on the portal.
