Introduction to the Future of Console Gaming

The console gaming landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with Sony and Microsoft taking cues from Nintendo’s success in the handheld market. After nearly a decade, these industry giants are finally embracing the potential of portable consoles. Sony, in particular, is rumored to be developing a full-fledged, portable PlayStation 5, marking a significant departure from its previous attempts.

The Rise of Handheld Consoles

The concept of a handheld console is not new, but its relevance has never been more pronounced. With the Nintendo Switch 2 making waves, Sony is poised to respond with its own portable offering. The question on everyone’s mind is what this new console will be called and whether it will be released alongside the next generation of consoles, including the PlayStation 6. It’s unlikely that Sony will position a lower-power handheld console as a direct sequel to the PlayStation 5 or the more powerful PS5 Pro. Instead, the company might be planning a dual-release strategy, with one console focused on performance and the other on portability.

Rumors and Speculations

Late last year, Bloomberg reported that Sony was working on a handheld gaming device capable of playing PlayStation 5 games. Although details are scarce, this news has sparked excitement among gamers. Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly collaborating with Asus to create a handheld Xbox, with teaser videos fueling the rumors. Sony, on the other hand, has been more reserved, with the company releasing the PlayStation 5 Pro with significant hardware updates, including enhancements to the GPU.

The PlayStation 6 and Beyond

The PS6 is expected to utilize next-gen AMD hardware, with a potential release date in 2027. However, Sony might not wait that long to release a proper handheld console, given the intense competition in the market. Reuters reported that Sony is sticking with AMD for the PlayStation 6 chip, which could ensure compatibility with PS5 games. The new CPU might run on the modern Zen 5 architecture or the supposed Zen 6, along with AMD’s next-gen graphics architecture.

AMD’s Role in the Future of Gaming

Sony’s decision to stick with AMD for the PS6 and any potential handheld version is a given. The company plans to introduce Fidelity FX Super Resolution (FSR 4) to the PlayStation, which uses AI algorithms to upscale frames to higher resolutions while maintaining the original framerate. This technology would be particularly beneficial for a handheld console, where consistent performance is crucial. Leaker KeplerL2 hinted that the next console would have "shader binary compatibility," allowing games to work seamlessly on the new hardware.

Performance and Pricing

The next console is expected to feature a 3nm chip running at 15W TDP, equivalent to the max power of a Steam Deck. AMD is already a key player in handheld gaming PCs, and its Ryzen Z2 Go and Ryzen Z2 Extreme are set to power top-end devices. Until more information is available, pricing remains speculative. A portable PlayStation would need to be more powerful than the $450 Switch 2, which is equivalent in performance to a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Pro. If Sony leverages upscaling through AMD, it may already have the pieces in place to offer a handheld console sooner rather than later. As consoles become increasingly portable, the traditional notion of a home console like the PlayStation 6 might become less relevant.