From handheld dreams to budget-friendly upgrades, the PlayStation 6 generation is gearing up to be Sony’s most ambitious yet.
Every time new console rumors start swirling, the internet turns into Indiana Jones; everyone’s digging for news, and well, we are no different. This week, the spotlight is back on Sony and its plans for the PlayStation 6. It’s quite hard to believe that the PlayStation 5 is nearing its 5th anniversary, especially because it still feels like the console hasn’t really come out of first gear.
Console generations typically get refreshed around the seven-year mark, which means 2027 could be the year we see the latest Sony hardware released. According to a recent YouTube report, we are told that Sony’s “something new” may not be just one machine but three separate pieces of hardware, all bearing the PS6 flag.
You must remember, before we move any further, these are rumors, so make sure to take them with a pinch of salt. However, the breakdown is worth noting. Allegedly, Sony is preparing a cheaper entry-level PlayStation 6 called Canis, a brand-new handheld device, and a standard PS6 home console. All three are expected to leave the disk drive behind, again showing Sony’s intent to take on an all-digital approach.
The handheld is where things get especially interesting. Sony has dabbled in this space before with the PSP and the PS Vita, both of which had their highs and lows. The Vita, for example, stumbled because it relied too much on exclusive titles that never gained enough traction.
This new handheld, however, wouldn’t need its own dedicated library. Instead, it would natively run PS4 and PS5 games, and it’s also being said that this handheld will supposedly be more powerful than a base PS5. That means modern games could run smoothly on it, and even future PS6 titles would be playable, but of course, capped at around 30 FPS compared to the 120 FPS and 4K target for the main PS6.
Again, this handheld is rumored to be the “Nintendo killer,” so it only makes sense that they take a page out of Nintendo’s playbook. Nonetheless, the handheld is said to come with a touchscreen and a dock similar to the Nintendo Switch, which boosts performance when connected to a TV. The big kicker, though? Pricing.
Sony can source the new tech in bulk; the handheld could launch for as low as $400, though $500 seems more typical of Sony (if you know, you know). That would place it in head-to-head competition with Nintendo’s hardware and Valve’s upcoming Steam Deck refresh, which is expected to land in 2028.
Sony appears to have one primary objective in mind for the PS6, aside from the handheld, and that is to subtly kill off the PS4. In terms of monthly active users, the PS5 has officially overtaken the PS4 as of June 2025. Nonetheless, the legacy system is going strong, with an active user base of almost 50 million individuals.
That’s a massive slice of the PlayStation pie still holding onto last-gen hardware. To pull them forward, Sony might introduce a budget-friendly PS6 model priced around $300–350, making it cheaper and more powerful than the PS5 while serving as a credible upgrade from the PS4.
If these leaks are accurate, the mainline PS6 would sit atop the throne, at least price-wise. It would be designed to push the limits of performance with 4K visuals and supersonic frame rates. But interestingly, we have also been hearing the claim that Sony may not even bother keeping the PS5 alive once the PS6 arrives.
The newer console will be cheaper to manufacture, as suggested by the rumors, giving Sony little reason to keep producing the older system. It’s a bold move, one that could make either the customers or Sony themselves pay a heavy price. However, it wouldn’t be the first time a company has phased out an older console to improve production efficiency.
Of course, rumors will be rumors. It’s somewhat akin to saying, “Men will be men.” But y’all get the idea. It is not every day you hear of not one, not two, but three distinct PS6 models, all of which just go to show that even though the PS5 generation may not have come out of first gear, Sony’s ambitions, on the other hand, have already hit fourth gear, if you will.
We have only one message for you: the next generation of PlayStation is closer than it seems. Unfortunately, we can’t debunk rumors for you, but we can certainly report them to you. Regardless, if Sony really does pull the trigger on all three devices, 2027 could end up being one of the most exciting years in gaming hardware we’ve ever seen.
