Sony’s PlayStation 6: Handheld and Console Specs Leaked Amidst Chip Shortages
Sony is reportedly developing a Nintendo Switch-style handheld PlayStation 6 alongside a more traditional home console, as leaked specifications surface amidst ongoing concerns about memory chip shortages impacting the gaming industry. These developments come as Sony considers delaying the PS6 launch to 2028 or 2029 and Nintendo contemplates a price increase for its upcoming Switch 2.
PlayStation 6 Handheld (“Canis”) Specifications
The handheld, internally codenamed “Canis,” is expected to feature a hybrid AMD Zen 6 series core configuration, comprising six CPU cores (4x Zen 6c + 2x Zen 6 LP) and a GPU with 16 RDNA 5 Compute Units (CUs). It will utilize LPDDR5X memory over a 192-bit memory bus and is built on a 135mm² chip size. [Reddit]
The “Canis” chip shares similarities with the ASUS ROG Ally X, both employing LPDDR5X memory and 16 GPU Compute Units. Although, Sony’s silicon is anticipated to have fewer CPU cores and will leverage newer CPU and graphics architectures, potentially offering superior performance. [Reddit]
Utilizing AMD’s RDNA 5 architecture and Zen 6 CPU cores, built on TSMC’s 3nm lithography node, the “Canis” is expected to outperform current PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. [Reddit]
PlayStation 6 Console Specifications
The PS6 console is projected to include up to 10 CPU cores (7-8 Zen 6c cores and 2 Zen 6 LP cores), with the possibility of Sony disabling a core to improve chip yields and reduce costs. The chip is estimated to be 280mm² in size, more than double the size of the “Canis” silicon, and will also be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm node. [Reddit]
The console’s GPU is expected to feature an AMD RDNA 5 GPU with 52-42 Compute Units, clocked at 2.6-3GHz. It will employ GDDR7 memory with a 160-bit memory bus, delivering 640 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Memory configurations are still being finalized, with potential options for 30GB or 40GB of GDDR7 memory, dependent on pricing. [Reddit]
PlayStation 6 Performance Expectations
The PS6 is anticipated to be 2.5-3x faster than the PlayStation 5 in rasterization performance and 6-12x faster in ray tracing. This suggests a greater adoption of ray tracing in future games. [Reddit]
While the PS6 is currently expected to be less powerful than Microsoft’s next Xbox console, the performance difference is likely to be minimal, especially considering the shared CPU/GPU architectures and the potential for upscaling technologies to bridge the gap. [Reddit]
Industry Challenges: Chip Shortages and Potential Delays
These developments occur against a backdrop of a global memory and storage chip shortage, driven by high demand from data centers and AI companies. This shortage has already impacted Valve’s Steam Deck availability and is prompting both Sony and Nintendo to reassess their console strategies. [Tom’s Hardware] [VICE] [IGN]
Nintendo is also considering raising the price of the Switch 2 in 2026 due to these rising component costs. [Tom’s Hardware] [VICE]