Threads
- Sony’s previous handhelds, especially the beloved PSPs, have had massive success. Now, they’re reportedly working on a next-gen handheld.
- This will reportedly feature full PS5 compatibility but with lower resolution. Its hardware might also be comparable to the PS4.
- This means you can play the Sony exclusives on the go. It is expected to be released in 2028 after the release of the PS6.
Sony has been absent from the handheld scene for quite a long time, nearly eleven years to be precise. But now, according to the industry insiders, they seem to be stepping back into this space again, and I’m more than excited about it.
Brief History Of Sony’s Handhelds
In February 2024, there were rumours that Sony and Xbox were working to launch next-generation handhelds. Now, there are more rumours and insider news regarding this handheld, making us think we’re closer to it than before.
How It Started
Sony has seen massive success with their past handhelds, especially the PSP. The concept of their handhelds started with PocketStation which not many people know today. It was more of an addon to the PlayStation 1, acting as an extra memory card.
The Legendary PSP
They then released the first ever PlayStation Portable, the PSP-1000. This was their first attempt to bringing the handheld scene to life. Then the infamous PSP Slim (PSP-2000) and the PSP Brite (PSP-3000) came into being.
The 1000 was heavier and had limited features, while the 2000 and 3000 could be connected to a TV, were lighter and brighter respectively. This line of PSP was the most succesful out of every handheld, where Sony sold over 82M units.
The Not-So-Great PS Vita
Sony then wanted to counter the Nintendo DS by launching the PSP Go, but it wasn’t a success. Then the PS Vita was launched, where they added touch screen feature, made PS4 games compatible with it and many other features.
However, it had many problems, due to which it was not onlyn’t as loved as the PSPs but also failed. The PS Vita Slim was the last handheld Sony worked on in December 2014, and they have never returned to making handhelds.
What About Now?
Now, with rumours about Sony’s new handheld, people are calling it the PSP3, which tells us that Sony might’ve ditched the PS Vita line. This could mean that we might be getting a decent handheld this time.
What Can We Expect From The Upcoming Handheld
This upcoming handheld could be a revolutionary move from Sony since they’re reportedly deciding to add great features. Some of these features could also strengthen its future-proofing. Let’s see what these features are.
PS5 Compatibility
One promising rumour is that this handheld might be compatible with PS5 games. A leaker says that it could allow players to play PS5 games directly without any patches.
The resolution or FPS in these games would be lower due to the handheld’s lower memory bandwidth compared to the PS5. This would be completely understandable and would still be a treat for the players.
Patches For The PS5 Compatibility
But this begs the question of how Sony could integrate PS5 games directly into this upcoming handheld. Well, they could very well patch games on it, such as having something like a portable or performance mode.
This could be similar to the different modes we already see in the current PS5 games. Then, PSSR could be used to enhance the performance of these games so they are playable on the PSP3.
Comparable To PS4 & PS4 Pro
Some reports suggest this PSP3 will have better hardware than the Xbox Series S, but still lower than the PS5. This makes the PSP3 comparable to the PS4 and PS4 Pro, which are still very effective for a handheld.
Still, tons of games are being produced for the PS4 even though it’s been over five years since the newer PS5 was released. This could be the case for this handheld as well, where games could launch for it years after its release.
Chipsets
The leaker also mentions that this handheld won’t be using the PS6 chips. Apparently, they’ll be using an alternative designed to run on low voltages, which makes it suitable for handhelds.
This opens the door for Sony to use the ARM architecture for this PSP3, since Sony listed a job listing in 2024 stating that they wanted to run their games on different architectures.
Launch Date
The leaker says that Sony might release this handheld a few months after the PS6, which is already expected to launch in 2028. However, we have to wait and see if Sony announces it till 2026 or not.
Grain Of Salt
Conclusively, these are just rumours made by industry insiders. Apart from that, nothing can be confirmed or denied since Sony has been silent about this topic entirely. So, we have to wait for their announcements.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[Error Fix Expert]
Hello, I’m Uzair Shabir, a tech enthusiast pursuing a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. At Tech4Gamers, I’m an Error Fix Expert, crafting articles on different issues and how to fix them. With a Google IT Support Certificate, I navigate tech complexities to deliver insightful perspectives.
Get In Touch: UzairShabir@tech4gamers.com
Join Our Community
