Sony's next console generation could very well include a handheld console, as leaks surrounding the PlayStation 6 have left many gamers shocked at the unexpected twist.
PlayStation have always been a leading figure when it comes to performance in the console market, as each new generation of Sony console has pushed the boundaries of what you can achieve in a living room box.
While there might have been some stumbles along the way - namely in the early years of the PS3 - PlayStation has largely remained the dominant force over rivals like Xbox, as players are able to enjoy the best games each year without too many compromises.
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It might only feel like the console generation has just begun, but the next PlayStation 6 is technically only a couple of years away now, and leaks have given gamers an equally vital and shocking bit of info that's sure to shake up the market.
As reported by Dexerto, renowned leaker KeplerL2 has indicated that the next generation of PlayStation console will include a handheld portable variant alongside a standard version that you'd typically associate with the brand.
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It is expected that the main console will launch somewhere around late 2027 or early 2028, with the portable version likely dropping at a later point down the line.
Sony has dabbled in the portable console market in the past with the PSP and PS Vita, but this would be their first self-sustaining effort since 2011, as the currently available PlayStation Portable is a cloud streaming device that still requires a PS5 alongside it.
Additionally, it has been suggested that this portable PS6 would be less powerful than the standard PlayStation 5 console, marking what would likely be a significant gap in performance between the standard console and the portable version.
This might be a surprising move in isolation, but looking at the larger console market it certainly lines up with current trends. Nintendo, primarily, have led their hardware division with a hybrid portable device in the Switch since 2017, and its success is undeniable.
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With the Nintendo Switch 2 now arriving with significant performance enhancements, Sony will likely see it as a direct competitor now instead of something that gamers would buy alongside a PlayStation console.
Furthermore, there are a plethora of handheld PC-like devices on the market too, including the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go.
As per Windows Central, there are also rumors that Xbox are looking to get into the handheld market with their own first-party device, so its only natural that PlayStation would be planning the same.
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Gamers haven't exactly responded positively to the news either, with many questioning the point behind a portable version of Sony's flagship device.
"Why make a portable PS6 when it is less powerful than [a] PS5?" ponders one user on X, with another adding that "while I love my PSP and thought the PS Vita was cool, Sony lost this race. No need for a portable PlayStation."
Someone on the r/playstation subreddit seemingly took the reigns as gaming's own Nostradamus a couple of weeks ago too, posting a prediction that the PlayStation 6 will be a handheld.
While they weren't fully on the mark as the next generation will be led by a standard console release, many in the comments couldn't get on board with their reasoning.
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"That's so dumb," said one comment. "Thank you, I needed a little laugh today." One user did manage to land a bullseye of their own though, predicting that "if anything a new PSP will come out midway through the PS6 life cycle."
What this rumored PlayStation 6 Portable actually shapes up to be is likely still a long way off, but it could provide an alternative for gamers who want access to all of the latest games, but don't want the living room experience.