Sony PSP2 to surpass iPhone 3GS in graphics?
updated 11:35 am EDT, Tue July 7, 2009
Sony PSP2 Specs Rumor
A leak today hints that a true second-generation PSP is in development that could have graphics better than the iPhone 3GS and last-generation consoles. The Spanish branch of Eurogamer claims to have internal Sony information that the next handheld will use a PowerVR SGX543MP4 graphics core closely related to the SGX535 found in the iPhone but which should be even faster. Where the chip used by Apple renders a maximum 28 million polygons per second, the PSP's hardware is a quad-core part and would draw 133 million polygons and allow for much more complicated 3D scenes.
While practical tests of this power haven't been conducted, the difference is such that it's expected the new Sony handheld could outperform an original Xbox in terms of graphics.
When and with what other features the PSP sequel would ship are unknown, but it's implied that the overhaul is still in the early stages and may not ship until late 2010 at the earliest. Sony is under pressure to fight back against not only its most obvious competitor in gaming, the Nintendo DSi, but also against Apple; the iPhone and iPod touch even in earlier generations have typically had better performance for gaming than the 2004-era PSP and have seen a relative abundance of games, albeit often casual, launch on the App Store within a year.
Not a proper comparison
07/07, 11:46am (1 reply) reply
To compare a dedicated gaming (graphics only) device to a Swiss Army Knife style device like the iPhone or iPod Touch is a real stretch.
TomSawyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
shocked!
07/07, 12:10pm reply
I'm absolutely shocked, shocked I tell ya, that some hardware coming out in the future will have faster graphics than todays generation.
Next you'll tell me that a couple years Apple will release an iPhone and iPod Touch that's even faster today's 3GS!!!
Folks, these hand-held computing devices are like where computers were 10 years ago, where each new generation had dramatically improved performance of the previous generation.
_Rick_V_
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2003
well
07/07, 12:28pm reply
According to the article, it appears that the graphics performance of the iPhone 3GS is on par with console gaming machines. Who knew...
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
10 years ago...???
07/07, 12:29pm reply
If I remember well, 10 years ago, the fastest Mac was a 300 MHz G3 (with a 16MB Radeon video card). Clearly, both the iPhone, as well as PSP, are far superior to those G3 specs (800Mhz chip on the iPhone, with 256Mb L2 cache).
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
And it'll cost...
07/07, 12:40pm reply
$500 bucks!
See, the problem is Sony can't figure out where the market is going. Rather, they like to think where it should go, which is they think should be proprietary to Sony.
Look at their track record with Mini Disc, ATRAC and those small little disks for the PSP. Back when the PSP came out, I asked myself why disks? Why not download the games into a hard drive on the device?
rvhernandez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
Really dumb
07/07, 12:52pm reply
What a stupid article...is this news? The fact that the iPhone is already touching the heels of dedicated gaming devices should be THE REAL surprise here, not the opposite...it's almost funny to see the borndead vaporware PSP2 playing catch-up with Apple's smartphone...pathetic.
ricardogf
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
price
07/07, 01:34pm reply
Let see if they can drive the price down. PS3 is still high comparing to Xbox.
coffeetime
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
price part 2
07/07, 01:41pm reply
Look at Nintendo Wii. The console has the worst graphic comparing to PS3 and Xbox. But yet it's the best seller domestically and world wide. Sony just don't get it. By the time PSP2 is out, Apple already revised their next generation 3Gs phone with even superior graphic at a lower price than PSP2.
coffeetime
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
My question is
07/07, 04:23pm (1 reply) reply
whether the iPhone 3GS is a better pixel pusher than the current PSP? If it is then the PSP and Sony are really falling behind if the PSP2 won't be introduced until late next year. Then they'll be lacking in both hardware and software.
Only one problem remains right now. The hardcore mobile gamers insist that even the iPhone 3GS is next to useless without physical controls (buttons and analog stick). I'm only mentioning this in passing because the iPhone 3GS is after all, basically a handset that can also play games. Whereas the PSP can't make a single phone call or record a single video or competently browse the internet.
The next iPod Touch will undoubtedly have the same processor as the 3GS but running an upclocked version. And if it does videos and, of course, run all the iPhone apps, Sony and the PSP will be in a world of hurt.
iphonerulez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
surpass a phone?
07/09, 02:28am reply
i'd friggin hope so! if sony can't make a dedicated gaming machine that does graphics better than a phone, somebody should be fired!
i'm not sure who started this comparison however - i've seen the psp mentioned in articles about iphone gaming more than once - usually with the obligatory wii success snippet thrown in for good measure.
Tofino
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005