Sony today revealed that the PSP will see its first physical changes since the handheld's introduction in 2004. The new model is 19 percent thinner than the model in stores today; the update is also a full third lighter than the outgoing version. While technical features are largely unchanged, the new version loads games from Memory Stick or UMD much more quickly and also lasts longer on a single battery charge, according to Sony. The device also gains a video output to play games on a larger screen at the same resolution.

Sony has not confirmed pricing for the new PSP, which is expected to remain the same. New colors will be available for the first time in the US as well, with the reference black model accompanied by an Ice Silver model and a white, Star Wars: Battlefront edition with Darth Vader's silhouette drawn on the back. All versions should be available by September.