PS6 Handheld Canis More Powerful Than Xbox Series S, Says Leaker

Sony’s handheld PlayStation 6 device, codenamed Canis, is reportedly more powerful than the Xbox Series S.

The news comes from tech leaker and insider KeplerL2, who stated on NeoGAF that Sony’s upcoming handheld device features a GPU that is more powerful than the one currently found in the Xbox Series S. According to the leak, the handheld’s memory is “a bit ahead” of the Xbox Series S console, while its ray-tracing and path-tracing capabilities are said to be “massively ahead.” It was also mentioned that the new PSSR3 will deliver better image quality than the current DLSS 4.5.

This strategy is similar to how Xbox launched the Xbox Series X as a higher-tier, more powerful console alongside the more affordable Xbox Series S, or how Sony released the PlayStation 5 in both disc and discless versions to give players more choice. Sony reportedly plans to follow a comparable approach with the launch of the PlayStation 6 and the PlayStation 6 handheld device, Canis. Both platforms are expected to launch at the same time, once again offering players a choice between a higher-priced option and a more economically friendly alternative.

The difference this time, however, is that it’s not one console versus another - it’s a console versus a handheld device. With Nintendo dominating the handheld market for years, Sony may be looking to take a bite out of that space. While many players will likely purchase a PlayStation 6 console, the question remains: how many will buy both the console and the handheld? The ability to take PlayStation games on the go could be appealing. Some players may choose one over the other, but this move places Sony in an interesting position for the future of the gaming market.

KeplerL2 has also mentioned in the past that the handheld device will utilize shader binary compatibility to run PlayStation 5 games, although patches may be required to ensure smooth performance. Additionally, well-known leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead has claimed that Canis will be more powerful than both the current Xbox Ally X and the Nintendo Switch 2.

What do you think of the PlayStation handheld? Is this something you would consider buying alongside the PlayStation 6, or would you rather stick with just the console? Let us know in the comments.