Leaks reveal Sony's Project Canis, a portable console with Zen 6 cores, RDNA 5 graphics, and PSSR 3 AI upscaler, aiming to rival home consoles at around $400.
© E. Vartanyan
Sony appears to be preparing a major return to the portable console market, according to leaks. A new device, known by the codename Project Canis, might not only be part of the PlayStation 6 lineup but could also outperform the Xbox Series S in both traditional graphics and ray tracing. This would mark the first time a portable format comes close to the level of current-generation home consoles.
Insider reports suggest the device will feature a hybrid architecture with Zen 6 cores and energy-efficient Zen 6 LP cores, alongside RDNA 5 graphics with 16 compute units. A key highlight is the use of 24 GB of LPDDR5X memory on a wide 192-bit bus, which should deliver high bandwidth. All of this will be built on TSMC's 3nm process, helping to balance performance and power consumption.
Special attention is being paid to image scaling technology. Sony is rumored to be developing PSSR 3, a new version of its AI upscaler that could surpass not only Nintendo's solutions but even the latest versions of NVIDIA's DLSS. If these reports hold true, the portable console could deliver significantly better image quality than competitors, including the next-generation Switch.
Against the backdrop of rising component costs and the risk of home consoles becoming more expensive, focusing on a powerful portable device looks like a strategically sound move. Analysts believe a more accessible price point around $400 could make such a console a popular choice, especially if it genuinely offers graphics performance comparable to full-sized systems.