Prediction - PS6 will not be designed to replace the PS5.

[Otter]

Soundwave said:

The PS6 Portable essentially cuts the next-generation off at the knees before it even starts, you're locked into sub-PS5 performance for the next generation already.

The PS5 is going to as a result be getting new game for probably another like 10 years.

Nintendo will retaliate with a Switch 2 Pro that matches whatever Sony releases, they're not going to let Sony just walk onto their turf and take a chunk of marketshare away from the only console they have. So what I think is actually going to happen is the "normal PS6" is actually in some ways going to become like a secondary platform.

It will just be there to run the PS6 Portable games (which are sub PS5 in spec) at higher settings and that's essentially it, but the PS6 Portable is actually going to be the machine that all devs have to make sure a game runs on (which they can port to Switch 2/Switch 2 Pro). 

Console generations as they existed in the past as such are essentially over with as a result. Developers cannot have another doubling of budgets happening anyway ... it's not workable for the industry, I think even Sony knows this now. There's no where to realistically go significantly past a PS5/PS5 Pro. They've already hit a dead end. 

Well this is essentially the basis of a Portable PS6... At this point its clear developers do not really need more power to make the game experiences they're interested in making. They need more time with the tools, more efficient strategies, engines and quicker development cycles. PS6 in both portable and home console mode can offer this and support scalability across all "next-gen" features. Something that will still distinguish the portable from PS5, just as the ability to AI upscale, support RT etc distinguishes Switch 2 from PS4/4 Pro. 

Having said this I think much of this still needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Remember all the Switch Pro rumours? I fully suspect they were accurate for the time but it's also a reality that the platform holders are always exploring and free change route at any point. This may be a PS5 Portable with some unique PS6 features. PS6 may not come out for a while yet... It'll be interesting to see how the value proposition of PS5 Pro changes once FSR4 lands on it next year. 

For now the PS5 and Switch 2 remain in different pools. You're not going to see day and date for most 3rd party titles and the majority of Playstation audience are not keen to sacrifice to a Switch 2 level of performance and graphical quality in most titles. A Switch 2 Pro won't fix this because it won't be a stand alone platform, so developers won't put in the effort. It'll be Switch 2 versions of games running at higher resolutions/FPS and come with an OLED screen. Nintendo themselves are also not going to go above the $499 price tag.

Last edited by Otter - on 04 September 2025