Sony’s reported plans for a PlayStation 6 handheld have gained attention following a new leak suggesting that the company could use TSMC’s N3P manufacturing process for a custom application processor. The chip, reportedly known by the codename Canis, is said to be designed with power efficiency in mind, potentially allowing Sony to develop a more portable gaming system without relying on the larger cooling solutions found in some high-performance handheld devices. The information comes from unofficial reports and leaked material, and Sony has not confirmed the existence or specifications of a PlayStation 6 handheld.
The latest claims were discussed by Moore’s Law Is Dead and reportedly point to Canis being manufactured using TSMC’s N3P process. The same leaked information reportedly identifies another future handheld processor, known as Gainesboro and associated with a next-generation Steam Deck, as also using N3P. In contrast, processors reportedly intended for Sony’s next-generation home console are said to use TSMC’s N3C process. The difference is significant because N3P is generally associated with improvements in power efficiency, while N3C can offer manufacturing advantages. For a battery-powered gaming system, reducing power consumption can help control heat generation and battery usage, two factors that directly affect the size and design of a portable device.
Previous reports have provided additional unconfirmed details about Project Canis. The reported system could feature a custom 3-nanometre AMD processor with six Zen 6 cores, including four Zen 6c cores and two low-power Zen 6 cores. The same reports have pointed to 24GB of LPDDR5X memory using a 192-bit memory bus and an RDNA 5-based graphics processor with 16 Compute Units. The handheld is reportedly expected to operate within a power range of around 15W to 25W, with different performance levels possible depending on whether the device is being used in handheld or docked mode. Sony is also reportedly developing an updated version of its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution technology, referred to as PSSR 3.0, which could help the hardware produce higher-resolution output from a lower internal rendering resolution.
The reported focus on efficiency could be particularly important for Sony if it intends to make the PlayStation 6 handheld smaller and easier to carry than some competing high-performance gaming handhelds. A processor that delivers its required performance at a lower power level can reduce the demands placed on the cooling system, potentially allowing manufacturers to reduce weight and thickness. Earlier reports have suggested that the device could render games at a lower internal resolution and use PSSR technology to produce a 1080p image, while docked operation could provide additional performance. Some reports have also placed a possible launch around late 2027, although Sony has not announced a release date.
For now, Project Canis remains an unconfirmed product, and the leaked specifications could change before any official announcement. Details including the N3P manufacturing process, Zen 6 CPU configuration, RDNA 5 graphics, memory capacity, power range and PSSR 3.0 support have all come from reports and leaks rather than Sony. The latest information nevertheless adds another layer to existing reports about Sony’s interest in expanding PlayStation hardware into portable gaming. Until the company provides official details, the reported hardware configuration and launch plans should be treated as unverified.
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