Both Sony and Microsoft are developing handheld gaming consoles, marking a potential shift in the gaming hardware landscape. As a journalist who has covered the industry for over three decades, I’ve seen numerous console wars, but this emerging competition in the handheld space warrants careful examination.
Microsoft has officially confirmed its handheld console development through Xbox CEO Phil Spencer. The device is expected to be part of the tenth-generation hardware rollout, focusing on locally playable games, as stated in the source materials. Phil Spencer emphasizes making Xbox games accessible anywhere, reflecting their current marketing approach.
Sony’s approach appears more calculated, with reports suggesting AMD hardware integration for their PS6 generation handheld. The company has already updated its PlayStation Portal to enable game streaming without requiring a PS5, showing their evolving handheld strategy.
According to the source materials, Sony is reportedly considering UDNA technology, while Microsoft is evaluating options between Qualcomm and AMD processors. These hardware decisions will influence the capabilities of their respective devices.
The current handheld gaming market includes:
- Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck
- ASUS ROG Ally
- Lenovo Legion Go
These devices represent the existing competition for Sony and Microsoft’s upcoming entries. Based on the internal Microsoft documents leaked in 2023, Sony’s PS6 generation hardware might arrive around 2028, though this timeline isn’t confirmed.
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The gaming community’s reaction has been mixed. As evidenced in the source material, some PlayStation fans express concern about timing. One Reddit user noted: “If we somehow get a PS6 within the next 2 years – this could be considered the ‘Lost Generation’ of consoles. It literally has zero identity.” Another added: “Hearing PS6 rumors is really sad, PS5 gen felt like it never really existed and started yet.”
Microsoft has confirmed working on handheld console prototypes, while Sony’s developments remain in the rumored stage. Both companies are exploring different hardware configurations according to the provided source material.
Sony and Microsoft’s entry into the handheld gaming space would add to the existing competition from current market players. The success of these new devices will depend on their final specifications and features, which are still under development.
While both companies are pursuing handheld gaming hardware development, the specifics of their offerings remain to be seen. As stated in the source materials, these developments could affect the broader gaming hardware landscape, though the exact impact remains uncertain.