Sony is updating its PlayStation 5 SDK with a new low-energy mode, which has sparked speculation about the development of a handheld console. This new performance profile limits system capabilities while reducing power consumption by around 20-30%. The limitations include reduced GPU clock speeds, lower memory bandwidth, and removed support for certain features.
According to Moore’s Law is Dead, this new mode is likely not just for energy efficiency but could be the beginning of a handheld system. Kepler L2, an AMD leaker, also believes it’s an emulated performance profile for a handheld device, addressing its biggest weakness – memory bandwidth.
While the low-energy mode isn’t mandatory for developers yet, its addition suggests that Sony is planning to support a new device. This could be related to the rumored PlayStation 6, which might launch with a handheld console. The introduction of this performance profile indicates that the home PS6 and handheld systems are moving closer to release.
Source: https://wccftech.com/playstation-5-low-energy-mode-handheld