How long until a ps4 level $400 hybrid is possible?

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Kerotan said:

I believe Sony will be looking into a ps4 portable in the next few years. How long is it likely before they could sell a ps4 portable hybrid for around $400?

 

How much would it currently cost if possible? Any experts in this field I want your thoughts! 

I am fairly certain they can already do it for $400 or less.  (Haven't read through most of this thread, but so I apologize is someone already brought this up.)  Here are some relevant points:

- Switch costs more because of the joy-cons and particularly the HD rumble.  Also, cost of manufacturing a Switch is $257.  Downgrade the rumble from HD to normal and it is still not a loss even at $250.

- Making hardware is Sony's specialty.  That means they could make the same hardware as Microsoft or Nintendo and it will cost them less in manufacturing costs.  This specialty combined with my next point is what drove Sega out of the console market.

- Sony has no reservations about selling their hardware at a loss.  The infamous PS3 that had its $600 price at launch actually cost them $840 to make.

- Handhelds can run at a lower resolution and still give the exact same experience as a larger TV screen.  I mean think about it; 720p resolution on a 6" screen is actually better than 1080p on 40"+ screen.  I can say from personal experience that I have gotten framerate drops in Breath of the Wild docked, but have had no problems undocked.  Undocked is technically less powerful when you measure what the processor is doing, but the experience to the player is better.  A PS4 handheld does not technically have to be as powerful as a home PS4 to give the same experience.


So, assuming that Sony already had the design ready, they could put out a $400 PS4 pretty easily.  If there is any sticking point at all, it would be the battery.  That is why the processor/resolution is less powerful undocked on the Switch, and even doing this it still goes through its battery quickly.  I mean Sony, could still put out a powerful console with a really low battery life, but that would doom their system.  One factor that always helped Nintendo in the handheld market is that their consoles always had a much better battery life even though their competitors had a more powerful system.   

Last edited by The_Liquid_Laser - on 30 January 2018