In July 2020, industry insiders uncovered a 2017 report from the renowned investment bank Goldman Sachs. The report, which was largely ignored and even ridiculed at the time, surprisingly accurately predicted the release of the PS5 console in 2020.
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As a result, the remaining two important points in the report have once again garnered attention: Sony's launch of a handheld version of the PS5 in 2023 and the release of the PS6 in 2027.
In fact, based on the registered trademarks, Sony had already secured the trademarks for devices between the names PS6 and PS10, so that is not particularly surprising. However, the handheld version of the PS5 has generated interest.
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A handheld gaming console, also known as a handheld device, refers to small gaming devices that are convenient to carry and can run game software anytime, anywhere.
The previous generation handheld console, the PS Vita, which was discontinued last year, was considered Sony's final handheld console. In comparison to the success of Nintendo's 3DS during the same period, the PS Vita did not perform well in the market and its retirement was already decided early on.
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For a long time, handheld consoles represented the pinnacle of portable technology and were coveted high-tech toys for young people. For many individuals born in the 1980s and 1990s, handheld consoles hold many unforgettable memories of their youth. However, nowadays, handheld consoles have become a relatively niche category, both in terms of sales and popularity.
More and more people have been captivated by console/PC games and fast-paced mobile games, and there are fewer gamers carrying handheld consoles in their bags.
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However, the handheld gaming console market still has vast prospects, and there is still significant room for development for handheld consoles. The tremendous success of Nintendo Switch is a great testament to this, as it sold 6 million units within six months of its release. The biggest feature of the Switch is that it can be used as a home console connected to a TV and can also be used as a portable handheld console.
The Switch has brought a new dimension to handheld gaming. For many players, the handheld form of the Switch is the essence of this gaming console.
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The Joy-Con controllers, which can be split into two separate controllers at any time, are a fun hardware combination that expands the gameplay possibilities of the Switch, especially for multiplayer games. While it may not have the same level of performance as current-generation gaming consoles, it has achieved the utmost in terms of entertainment value.
Perhaps it is the success of Nintendo Switch that has prompted Sony to consider a return to the handheld console market. Game players can look forward to the release of Sony's next-generation handheld console.
