A handheld PlayStation console that can seamlessly handle PS4 games would be quite a complex feat to accomplish, primarily due to power consumption and memory bandwidth constraints, among other factors.
Responding to inquiries from enthusiasts about a potential handheld device in development, experts at Digital Foundry emphasized the immense difficulty in engineering a portable console that can natively support PlayStation 4 games. The technical obstacles include managing the power draw and the extensive memory bandwidth of the system, which stands at a remarkable 176 GB/s. Furthermore, the implementation of a Jaguar CPU would be necessary for compatibility, and currently, there are no mobile processors available that can meet these specific requirements to run PS4 games directly.
While a PlayStation handheld leveraging contemporary AMD architectures could theoretically run PS4 games through porting, this approach would significantly limit the available game library. Despite these challenges, such a system could feasibly handle modified versions of PlayStation 5 games by adjusting settings and resolutions, drawing parallels to the performance approach adopted by the Steam Deck and other modern handheld platforms capable of running current AAA titles. Nonetheless, Digital Foundry expressed enthusiasm for Sony’s potential launch of a new handheld console, noting the global success of the remote play-centric PlayStation Portal.
As reports indicate, Sony is reportedly in the initial stages of developing a PlayStation handheld device. Utilizing a customized AMD APU, the project is currently situated in the High-Level Design Phase, signifying a timeline of at least two years before any potential release, pending official approval. Specific details regarding the device’s specifications have yet to be finalized, but preliminary information suggests the utilization of 18 CUs, with a GPU that is expected to operate at a clock speed of 1.8 GHz or lower to accommodate the variable clock speeds characteristic of the PlayStation 5.
Following the era of the PlayStation Vita, which possessed considerable hardware capabilities that could have led to greater success with enhanced support, Sony made a strategic exit from the portable gaming market. However, the company later made a partial return with the launch of the aforementioned PlayStation Portal. For an in-depth review of the system, explore our comprehensive coverage.
