PlayStation 6 and Handheld Specs Revealed – Estimated Rasterization Performance 3X and 0.5X Compared to PS5

Leaked Specifications of PlayStation 6 and Project Canis Handheld Revealed

In a recent update from Monday’s analysis of the PlayStation 6 and its handheld counterpart, code-named Orion and Canis respectively, the YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID) has disclosed specifications sourced from an AMD presentation leak dating back to 2023. This information sheds light on Sony’s strategic approach for its next-generation gaming systems.

PlayStation 6: Emphasis on Efficiency

The upcoming PlayStation 6 appears to be designed with a focus on efficiency, targeting a thermal board power (TBP) of just 160 watts. The architecture will feature a chiplet design that includes 8 Zen 6 cores alongside 40 to 48 RDNA 5 Compute Units, with clock speeds exceeding 3GHz.

While the count of Compute Units falls short of the 60 available in the PlayStation 5 Pro, their enhanced clock speeds promise a notable boost in performance. Furthermore, the RDNA 5 architecture is anticipated to significantly improve instructions per clock (IPC) performance, yielding better results per Compute Unit compared to those found in the PS5 Pro.

Memory and Bandwidth Capabilities

The memory specifications reflect a reduced bus width compared to the PS5 Pro—160 or 192 bits versus 256 bits. However, the Switch to GDDR7 memory enables extraordinary clock speeds of up to 32Gbps, which anticipates achieving a bandwidth ranging from 640GB/s to 768GB/s, surpassing the PS5 Pro’s 576GB/s.

Performance Expectations: A Paradigm Shift

Predictions indicate that the rasterization performance of the PlayStation 6 could be over three times that of the original PS5 and about double that of the PS5 Pro. In terms of graphical prowess, its capabilities are expected to match those of a GeForce RTX 4080, although direct comparisons between consoles and PC graphics cards often yield mixed results. Additionally, advancements in ray tracing mechanics could enhance performance by a staggering six to tenfold.

Backward compatibility is reportedly maintained for both PS4 and PS5 titles. Production for the PlayStation 6 is set to commence in mid-2027, with its retail launch anticipated in late 2027 or early 2028, likely priced around $499.

Project Canis: A New Handheld Experience

The Project Canis handheld is designed to utilize a compact 3nm die, featuring 4 Zen 6C cores. The GPU in this device is expected to comprise between 12 and 20 RDNA 5 Compute Units, clocked between 1.6GHz and 2.2GHz. It will also include a 128-bit LPDDR5X 7500 RAM configuration targeting a power consumption of 15 watts.

Rasterization performance is projected to be approximately half that of the base PS5, while advancements in RDNA 5 suggest potentially superior ray tracing performance. Additional features will include PS4 and PS5 backward compatibility, support for microSD and M.2 SSD storage, haptic feedback capabilities, dual microphones, a touchscreen interface, and a USB-C port for rapid charging and video output.

With its expected capabilities, Project Canis seems poised to outshine the upcoming Xbox Ally X, although it must contend with the latter’s imminent market arrival. The PlayStation handheld is designed for a concurrent launch period with the PlayStation 6, and pricing is speculated to be around $400 to $500.

Next-Gen Xbox Console Insights

MLID also provided brief commentary on the next-generation Xbox console, code-named Magnus. This console is expected to house 11 Zen 6 cores and 68 Compute Units, making it more powerful than the PS5 Pro but still falling short of the PlayStation 6’s capabilities. Microsoft appears to be positioning this console for a launch prior to the PlayStation 6, potentially replicating the successful launch strategy of the Xbox 360, which debuted a year ahead of the PlayStation 3. However, confirmed availability for the new Xbox is not expected before 2027.

With this information, gamers can look forward to an exciting evolution in console gaming on the horizon, marked by remarkable enhancements in performance, efficiency, and user experience.

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