Key Takeaways
1. Intel is focusing on Panther Lake chips for new gaming handheld devices, aiming for improved performance and efficiency.
2. AMD is partnering with Sony to develop a handheld for the PS6, utilizing a custom chip named ‘Canis.’
3. Leaks suggest Panther Lake chips may offer similar performance to the Canis chip but consume twice the power.
4. The PS6 handheld’s custom AMD APU is expected to be optimized for gaming, enhancing performance with less powerful hardware.
5. Panther Lake devices are projected to launch by mid-2026, while the PS6 handheld is expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
Intel is placing its bets on Panther Lake chips to start a new age of gaming handheld devices. Meanwhile, AMD is collaborating with Sony on a new PS6 generation handheld that will utilize a custom chip known as ‘Canis.’ Although not much is known about the performance of these devices, a notable leaker has shared a comparison between the two, albeit without precise details. Still, it provides a glimpse into potential efficiency and optimizations.
Leaks and Expectations
Kepler_L2 has been quite active in leaking information about the upcoming consoles, including the new Xbox and the PS6. For the PS6, there are expectations that a handheld will be announced, which will be able to run PS5 games natively, although with reduced fidelity. The recent leaks suggest that Panther Lake chips will deliver performance comparable to the Canis chip in the PS6 handheld, but at twice the power consumption.
Performance Insights
According to Kepler, while AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme is deemed too slow and Strix Halo too fast, Panther Lake will find a balance in between. It is noted that the performance at 30W for Panther Lake will match what Canis offers at 15W. Even though these specs might not seem promising for Panther Lake handhelds, there’s more nuance to the situation. The custom AMD APU in the PS6 handheld will be optimized for gaming with a proprietary operating system, allowing it to extract greater performance from less powerful hardware.
Gaming Approach
In contrast, Panther Lake handhelds will approach gaming differently, being able to run a broader array of games and applications while also utilizing a more demanding OS. Thus, higher power consumption is anticipated. Additionally, recent leaks hint at dedicated gaming chips called the Intel Core G3 series, which are based on Panther Lake and tailored specifically for handhelds. These chips are expected to be better suited for gaming and should yield solid performance within the 15W to 30W range.
Release Timeline
In terms of when we might see these handhelds hit the market, predictions indicate that the first Panther Lake powered devices could launch by mid-2026. The PS6 handheld is projected to arrive around late 2027 or early 2028, considering that November 2027 will mark the seven-year console cycle that both Microsoft and Sony usually follow.
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