Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden believes that if Sony launches the rumored next-generation handheld alongside the PS6 home console, the two products will compete for internal resources, potentially hindering the success of both. He suggests that Sony stagger the release dates of the two devices if it still plans to launch a home console.
On The Trophy Room podcast, Layden stated that the two types of hardware would compete for marketing budgets, management attention, and strategic priorities. Since home consoles generate higher revenue and have a broader audience, they are likely to receive more support in this competition. In his judgment, if PlayStation were to launch only a handheld for its next generation, its chances of success would actually be greater.
Citing his experience during the PS3 and PSP era, he stated that if Sony wants to fully support two devices simultaneously, it would essentially need to operate like two separate companies. Layden also suggested that the PS6 should be more like a smaller, cheaper "$300 PS5" rather than just pursuing incremental performance upgrades.
Regarding the rumor that the PS6 will offer more ray tracing and higher image quality, Layden believes these are "differences only a Dog.exe could hear." He argues that innovation shouldn't mean making the PS6 a $1,200 machine, but rather launching another PS5-level product at $300.
Layden believes that high prices will keep a large number of potential buyers away. His advice is "don't iterate on the console"; make it smaller and cheaper, and do Everythinggj possible around that concept.
Current rumors suggest that Sony is simultaneously preparing the PS6 home console and a handheld device. Both devices may use AMD's custom RDNA5 chips, with only a 30% difference in memory.