Sony’s Next PlayStation Handheld Could Launch Alongside the PS6, According to New Rumors

A Handheld Return After Two Generations?

A newly surfaced rumor suggests that Sony’s next standalone PlayStation handheld console may debut around the same time as the PlayStation 6. If true, this would mark the first time in two full console generations that Sony releases a dedicated portable gaming device.

Speculation about a new handheld reignited in August 2023 with the official reveal of the PlayStation Portal (previously known as Project Q Lite). While the Portal was designed for remote play rather than standalone gaming, many saw it as a signal that Sony might be reconsidering the handheld market.

The most credible indication came from a November 2024 Bloomberg report, which stated that Sony was in the early development stages of a new handheld console. Now, a recent rumor hints that this device could launch alongside or shortly before the PS6.

Rumor Origin: A Portable Powerhouse?

This latest claim comes from NeoGAF user HeisenbergFX4, who referred to the rumored device as a “full-blown PS handheld,” citing unnamed sources. While their track record includes some accurate insights into Activision Blizzard prior to its acquisition by Microsoft in 2023, they’re not widely recognized as a reliable source on Sony’s hardware roadmap. Nevertheless, the rumor seems plausible, especially when considered alongside prior reports.

Why the PS5 Era Was Never the Right Time

According to Bloomberg, the new handheld was still “years away” from release as of late 2024, making it unlikely to arrive during the PS5 generation. In fact, Sony has referred to the second half of the PS5’s life cycle since early 2024, implying that the PS6 might launch no later than 2028.

Moreover, introducing a new handheld too soon—especially with the PlayStation Portal still fresh on the market—could risk consumer confusion, overlapping product strategies, and market cannibalization.

PS6 Could Arrive as Early as 2027

Recent insider information suggests that Sony is targeting late 2025 for the tapeout of its next-gen system-on-chip, which could indicate a PS6 release window around late 2027. Launching a next-gen handheld around the same time would be strategically sound, especially if the new device functions as a portable version of the PS5.

A Look Back: PSP and PS Vita

Sony’s history with handheld consoles includes the hugely successful PlayStation Portable (PSP), which sold approximately 82.5 million units, and the less successful PlayStation Vita, which only sold around 15 million units. The Vita was effectively phased out by 2015, just four years after launch, when Sony ended first-party development for the device.