PS6 Will Launch With Home and Portable Models – But the Handheld Won’t Match PS5 Power

After months of speculation, new leaks suggest Sony is fully embracing the hybrid console future. The PlayStation 6 is reportedly launching with both a traditional home console and a handheld model—marking the first time in PlayStation history that Sony will go all-in on a dual-format generation. However, fans hoping for a handheld powerhouse on par with the PS5 may need to temper their expectations.

According to reliable leaker Kepler, the upcoming PlayStation handheld—rumored to be part of the PS6 ecosystem—will support PS5 games but with notable compromises. The device is expected to run games at lower resolutions and frame rates due to “limited memory bandwidth,” placing its performance somewhere between an Xbox Series S and a standard PS5.

The handheld will reportedly use a 15W SoC (system on a chip) based on a 3nm process, leveraging AMD’s RDNA GPU architecture and ZEN5 or ZEN6 CPUs. That’s impressive on paper, but it doesn’t guarantee parity with a home console—especially when you factor in thermal and battery constraints. For reference, the PS5’s massive size is largely due to its cooling system, something a portable just can’t replicate without compromise.

Hybrid Hype, Portable Reality

Ever since the Nintendo Switch exploded onto the scene, the industry’s been obsessed with the hybrid model. Microsoft is rumored to be developing a similar device, and now Sony appears ready to join the portable party, too. But the challenge has always been the same: how do you make a portable console powerful enough for current-gen games without overheating, draining the battery in minutes, or pricing it out of reach?

Sony’s answer seems to be a tactical one. The handheld PS6 won't be a full-fledged next-gen machine. Instead, it aims to bridge the gap between convenience and capability—offering players a portable way to enjoy their PS5 library, albeit with scaled-back fidelity.

A New Chapter After the PS Portal

Sony’s recent experiments with remote-play-focused devices like the PlayStation Portal hinted at this direction. But unlike the Portal, which relies entirely on your existing PS5 hardware and Wi-Fi, this new device will reportedly have its own silicon, making it more akin to a full-fledged portable console like the PS Vita.

The PS Vita, beloved by fans but ultimately a commercial misfire, was ahead of its time. In contrast, this new handheld seems perfectly timed for a market now fully warmed up to portable powerhouses like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and of course, the Nintendo Switch 2. The latter is rumored to be priced around $399, and Sony’s portable is expected to be significantly more expensive, given its advanced chip architecture.

Release Timeline and Marketing Puzzle

If the leaks are accurate, Sony has already finalized the PS6’s design and is preparing chip validation before manufacturing. The timeline suggests first-party developers could receive dev kits in 2026, with a general launch window sometime in the second half of 2027.

That raises an important question: will the handheld and home models release simultaneously? Kepler hinted the portable’s chip will be “taped out” slightly after the standard PS6 SoC, leaving open the possibility of a staggered release. There’s also speculation around branding—calling it a “PlayStation 6 Portable” might not fly if it can’t run native PS6 games. Sony could opt for a new name entirely, reviving legacy brands like the Vita, or spinning off something closer to the Portal concept.

Hardcore Gamers Beware: Expect Trade-Offs

If you're hoping this handheld will let you run PS6 exclusives at 4K/60fps while on the go, you’ll probably be disappointed. The system seems designed to offer an acceptable portable experience for existing PS5 titles, not push the PS6’s bleeding-edge capabilities. That said, if priced and marketed correctly, it could be Sony’s first truly successful handheld—especially in an era when remote work and travel-friendly gaming are more important than ever.

There’s also potential for synergy with Sony’s cloud infrastructure. If the device supports cloud streaming and local play, it could effectively offer multiple ways to access your library, including full console-quality gaming at home and hybrid play on the move.

Image: PS5 inside view

For now, it’s all rumors and leaked specs—but if even half of it pans out, we could be looking at a major shake-up in how Sony approaches console generations moving forward. Just don’t expect to toss your PS5 in a backpack anytime soon.

Leaks say the PS6 will launch with both a home console and a portable version. The handheld can run PS5 games but won’t match PS5 power, thanks to thermal, bandwidth, and battery limitations. Expect a hybrid experience, not a pocket-sized powerhouse.