Sony has not yet announced the PlayStation 6, but evidence is building that a portable version may be in development. The current PlayStation Portal allows streaming, but a true portable console that plays PS5 and PS4 games on the go could be coming.
First-party titles updated with low power mode
The strongest clue is that Sony appears to be updating many of its first-party games with a low power mode. Titles such as God of War Ragnarok, Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2, and Spider-Man 2 have all received this feature.
On the PS5, this power-saving mode reduces graphics and draws less power from the wall. While the intended use is to save on energy bills, it could also be preparation for playing games with limited power draw on a portable device.
Power consumption comparisons
A standard PS5 uses about 200W during graphically intense games. In Power Saver mode, that drops to around 90W. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 uses about 22W when docked and around 10W in handheld mode. PlayStation's Power Saver mode is still higher than typical handheld devices, but it is moving in the right direction.
Some PlayStation titles are already playable on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. God of War Ragnarok draws about 23W on the Steam Deck OLED model.
CEO hints at portable future
Sony's CEO has stated in recent interviews that future consoles will “leverage technologies that can be used in various forms and locations.” This suggests a portable console is likely.
However, a portable PlayStation 6 may not arrive soon. Due to ongoing component shortages, the PlayStation 6 could slip past its 2027 target. If market trends continue, it may cost north of £1,000. For now, PS5 users will continue using their current consoles.
