While the PS5 has reached its half-life, there are the first excited glances at the next console generation around the PS6, about which new details are slowly but surely leaking out - especially about the rumored portable version, which could bring a breath of fresh air to the handheld market. However, as is so often the case, the euphoria does not come without restrictions.
PS5 compatibility without developer intervention
According to the well-known leaker KeplerL2, who refers to NeoGAF the portable PS6 should actually be able to run PS5 games without any developer intervention. This is supposedly made possible by shader binary compatibility, which allows the system to process existing PS5 software directly. At first glance, this sounds like a technical milestone that takes backwards compatibility to a new level.
But - and this "but" carries weight - performance could suffer greatly with unpatched games. Without adjustments by the developers, PS5 titles will run on the mobile PS6, but not necessarily smoothly or in the usual quality. A patch could be necessary to avoid frame rate drops or visual impairments. This would make the PS6 Portable compatible, but not always competitive.
Interestingly, despite its mobility, the handheld version of the PS6 is said to be More powerful than an Xbox Series S be. This is made possible by a tailor-made SoC with under 40 compute units that has been optimized for extremely low voltages - a design that prioritizes battery life and energy efficiency. Nevertheless: Compared to the PS5, you probably have to expect some compromises.
The most powerful PlayStation of all time
Hardly anything concrete is known about the regular home console so far. According to rumors, Sony wants to deliver the most powerful console of its generation with the PS6 - including improved ray tracing functions and extended possibilities for machine learning to open up new gameplay dimensions. The PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution-Tech, which is already delivering fantastic results.
The PS6 Portable could be a fascinating bridge between the stationary and mobile gaming future. However, anyone hoping to seamlessly play their PS5 library on the go should be prepared for possible limitations. The next big step is coming - but not without stumbling blocks.
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