Sony Reportedly Developing Next-Gen PlayStation Handheld

Sony's next gaming chapter may come out sooner than planned. With the recent release of the PS5 Pro and Slim models, the PlayStation 5 continues to do very well. However, new rumors are starting to spread about two big developments: a powerful new handheld device and the early stages of planning for the PlayStation 6.

According to leaks, Sony is working on a new portable console that will be a significant step up from the PlayStation Portable, which was recently released. Unlike the Portal, which only works with streaming, this new device is said to be able to run PlayStation 5 games natively, which means it doesn't need to be connected to Wi-Fi all the time.

The device is said to use binary shader compatibility. This allows PS5 games to run on the handheld without requiring developers to port or recompile them. These changes could make it a lot easier to get games on the device. There is one catch, though: games may start up fine, but they might not run at their best without patches from the developers that boost frame rates and graphics quality.

Reports suggest that this handheld will likely run on custom AMD hardware, similar to the PS5 and the upcoming PS6. However, this is still not official. Insiders say it won't be as powerful as the PS5, but it will be faster than Microsoft's current entry-level console, the Xbox Series S. If that's true, it makes Sony's portable a serious gaming device, not just a companion. It's a real mix of performance and portability.

On the home console front, experts are also starting to weigh in on when the PS6 will come out. Former head of PlayStation's indie division, Shuhei Yoshida, has said that a 2028 release date seems right, which would align with the PS5's expected eight-year lifecycle after its debut in 2020. Also, Shawn Layden, a former executive at PlayStation, has reassured fans of physical media that the PS6 won't be going completely digital. Even though streaming and cloud gaming are becoming more popular, discs will still be used in the next-generation system. This is great news for collectors and people who like to own their games.

Sony and AMD are reportedly continuing to work closely on the PS6's chipset, codenamed Project Meist. 3D-stacked chips are an interesting technology being considered. They could provide much better processing power, better cooling, and better overall system performance. Sony isn't going to stop making the PS5 anytime soon, despite all the talk about the future. The PS5 Pro, which was just released, has faster frame rates, improved ray tracing, and enhanced visual quality.

Sony is clearly investing in the current generation, but that doesn't mean they don't have plans for the future. Instead, they show a two-pronged approach: strengthening the PS5 ecosystem while quietly laying the groundwork for what's next, both at home and on the go. As always, these details are just rumors until Sony makes an official announcement, but the rumors paint a very clear picture of how the company's plans are changing. If these rumors are true, the next few years will be very exciting for PlayStation fans.