Two SoCs are currently in development for the next-gen PlayStation console, the PS6, based on the latest rumor.
Known hardware leaker KeplerL2, who previously leaked the PS5 Pro’s specs, has now claimed that there are two SoCs currently in development for the next-gen PlayStation console. They added that they aren’t aware whether it will be an Xbox Series X/Xbox Series S situation or a console and handheld combo.
Given how game developers have been vocal about the Xbox Series S being difficult to develop for, it’s unlikely for PlayStation to take that approach with the PS6. However, the company has shown interest in the dedicated handheld market, and it may be pursuing a Steam Deck-like handheld that runs scalable PS6 titles in a graphically compromised state at a lower frame rate.
A cheaper Xbox Series S-like console may seem like a good idea on-paper, but it limits the potential of what can be achieved with the more powerful variant. During an interview last year, Remedy Entertainment Communications Director, Thomas Puha, was asked whether a console like the Xbox Series S is a net positive in the eyes of the studio. He responded by stating that having to develop Alan Wake 2 for the Xbox Series S gave rise to some major issues. He elaborated further by saying that, with the Xbox Series S, the CPU is pretty close to the one in the Xbox Series X, as there isn’t a massive difference in processing power. However, according to him, the GPU is an issue. In addition, he mentioned that having less memory to work with is a pretty big problem.
Similarly, Lee Devonald, Senior Technical Artist at Rocksteady, took to Twitter/X to explain why Gotham Knights is limited to 30 fps on current-gen consoles. Replying to a Twitter/X user, Lee mentioned how the limitations of the less capable current-gen Xbox console will hamper an entire generation of games. He cited the weaker GPU as one of the reasons behind this.
