Nearly five years into the current console generation, speculation about the next wave of hardware from Sony and Microsoft is intensifying. The latest reports center on a potential PlayStation 6 handheld system that could rival the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
According to tech YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead, Sony’s rumored device will be fully dockable and capable of running PS4 and PS5 titles. Alleged specifications include a 16CU RDNA 5 integrated GPU, operating at 1.20 GHz in portable mode and up to 1.65 GHz when docked.
The channel also suggests the system will be priced well below Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Ally X while offering stronger long-term performance. The standard ROG Xbox Ally and the new Ally X are scheduled to launch on October 16, though Microsoft has yet to confirm pricing.
Interestingly, there’s mention of a possible “PS6S,” a smaller, less powerful variant akin to how the Xbox Series S compares to the Series X.
Pricing predictions from Moore’s Law Is Dead place the PS6S between $299 and $399, the handheld model between $399 and $499, and the mainline PS6 console between $549 and $699. A release window of fall 2027 has been suggested for all three versions.
Sony’s Stance on Cloud Gaming and Next-Gen Consoles
Hints about Sony’s future hardware strategy have surfaced from company executives in recent months. In June, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and president Hideaki Nishino addressed investor questions about whether a new console was already in development, particularly in light of cloud gaming’s growth.
Nishino emphasized that while Sony has invested heavily in cloud technology over the past decade, traditional hardware remains central to its strategy. He pointed out that services like PlayStation Plus Premium’s streaming option and the PlayStation Portal’s cloud beta showcase technical progress, but added that “network stability is not in our control.” According to him, most players still prefer local gaming experiences without relying on internet performance, a view reinforced by the success of the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
When pressed about next-gen development, Nishino didn’t provide specifics but acknowledged that Sony’s console ecosystem continues to grow across PS4 and PS5 players, and that future hardware is “top of mind.” Historically, Sony began work on the PS5 almost immediately after the PS4’s 2013 launch, so it’s plausible the PS6 has been in development for several years already.
Handhelds, Discs, and the Next Console Cycle
Sony’s push into handheld devices has been signaled through the PlayStation Portal, though Nishino avoided giving a direct answer when asked whether portable systems are part of the company’s next-gen roadmap.
Meanwhile, the industry is debating whether the PS6 will include a disc drive. Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden argued earlier this year that Sony can’t afford to go fully digital, unlike Xbox, which has found some success with that approach in specific English-speaking markets. With PlayStation’s global presence in around 170 countries, Layden questioned whether removing physical media would alienate players in regions with weaker internet infrastructure.
Chip supplier details also continue to surface. Reports indicate that AMD secured the PS6 contract in 2022, beating out Intel. If Sony maintains its usual seven-year release cycle—PS4 in 2013 and PS5 in 2020—the PS6 could be on track for a late 2027 debut.
Speculation is already swirling around launch titles. Hideo Kojima’s long-awaited Physint, described as a return to “action espionage,” may align with the PS6’s release window. CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 4 is also expected no earlier than 2027, suggesting it could target next-generation platforms.
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