Digital Foundry Examines Whether Sony Could Make A PS4 ‘Switch’

Digital Foundry: Is Switch truly one of a kind, or could Sony - and indeed Microsoft - create their own console hybrids? Rich explains why it's actually more likely that Switch could step up to challenge those consoles rather than the other way around.

[StormLegend]

They can easily make the most powerful handheld but IMO it's not worth it. Even if it had tons of support it still wouldn't sell very well. Most people have moved on from handhelds and Sony is best at consoles. I just feel like those days are over now.

[Stsonic]

That wasn't the question though. And the answer is no. Watch the video, PS4 architecture was not designed to be a handheld. The switch uses about 10x less power as it was designed from mobile. It's actually quite impressive what you can run on 10 watts of power these days.

[Gaming_1st]

Not very much it seems. And the answer is yes they could and they could make something even more powerful. Hence laptops with Xeons and 1060M's in them. But it would be expensive.

[Vegamyster]

Gaming_1st

There isn't a 1060m, it's just a underclocked desktop 1060 in a laptop. It wouldn't work very well because it would require a large battery, the laptop variant still uses close to 100w's, never mind the CPU ect.

[uth11]

but but the PC guys kept telling us the PS4 uses a tablet CPU! /s

[RacerX]

I'm holding out for another console until the next full generation... But if Sony did a PS4 handheld I'd probably pick it up at launch.

[Prince_TFK]

“Most people have moved on from handhelds ”

The Switch and 3DS’s sales beg to differ.

[Aenea]

The Switch is not just sold to people as a handheld, I bought it to use on a TV...

[Vegamyster]

Aenea

OP stated it wouldn't sell well because Sony moved on from handheld, but the article is about them making a PS4 Switch which would mean it's a hybrid as well. In my opinion there is still a large market for it, but it has to be priced right without sharp drawbacks, the 3DS sold over 70 million after a bad launch & the Switch is doing quite well itself. They can't make something like the Vita where they're selling 32gb cards for $100, not advertise the system at all then drop 1st party support after a few years.

Regardless DF states it's not really possible with current technology because it would end up being large & expensive which isn't shocking, laptops are just catching up to desktops (within 10%) after a couple decades.

[Segata]

They could only make something about on par with Switch since the X1 is the most powerful chip for a mobile device at that price. We are years away from PS4 power being viable to something with a battery. Maybe in 2021 Volta will be ready but we are not there yet.

[ABizzel1]

@Haurus

Gaming uses FP32, so it's 437 GFLOPS - 750 GFLOPS, not 1.5 TFLOPS (half precision) which puts it's around 1/2 the power of a XB1.

Other than that you are correct.

[notachance]

with current technology it isn't comercially viable to make anything portable more powerful than Switch, even if it can be done. There's the portable power source problem, the fact that current GPUs still aren't power efficient enough to depend on said power source, and the heat circulation problem which still plagued anything compact and powerful.

[DwightSchrute01]

Someone doesn't know the difference between a handheld and a hybrid. Lol Switch is not a dedicated handheld.

[Godmars290]

If they could get Steam on board while offering strong support for the platform itself, would have to disagree. Likely the only thing that might thrive if not survive against Nintendo.

[Neonridr]

Well twice now Sony has tried to make the most powerful handheld, and while the PSP sold very well, in comparison the DS decimated it. The Vita was just a bad decision by Sony all around, and has turned into a major flop for them.

[SuperSonic91]

Sony already made an excellent poryable/home tv console ... its called the PSP 2000

[TallonIV]

I wouldn't be surprised if Sony copied Nintendo with the Switch, they're known for copying Nintendo multiple times in the past.

[-Foxtrot]

Oh please they all copy one another and Nintendo is not innocent in this

[TallonIV]

Then give me a few examples of when Nintendo copied Sony? I'll wait.

[Nyxus]

@ Tallon: most recently, the share button.

[TallonIV]

@Nyxus Uhm the Wii U had a share option so try again lol

Edit: Still waiting for your response @foxtrot ;)

[Nyxus]

I said share button. A dedicated button on the controller for taking screens. This is something the Switch directly copied from the PS4.

[TallonIV]

And I said the Wii U already had a screen sharing option, whether it's a dedicated button or not is seriously reaching on your part lmao.

[Nyxus]

Ah, so you don't want to hear it. Okay.

[Prince_TFK]

So now even a button need to be exclusive to the PS4? Smh...

[Realms]

@TallonIV

Ok but who owns the console space now? Nintendo has made way too many mistakes to ever be the industry leader they are also too quirky for my taste giving into gimmicks and such. Nintendo was slow to adapt and Sony took the lead yes Sony has taken ideas from Nintendo but so has MS that is how industry works. A company innovates and introduces ideas that become standard practice. Anyhow Sony wouldn't even be in the console business if it had not been for Nintendo royally screwing Sony so it serves them well karma is a bitch.

[edeprez]

TallonIV
Nintendo is adding share play to their NES games, pass the controller online. Sound familiar?
And motion controls, the DS3 had sixaxis before the Wii came out. The switch is a modernized version of the Sega nomad. Everyone does it, best not to fret about it when it happens.

[Gaming_1st]

@TallonIV

Nintendo has copied alot of things. Fujitsu was the first cd rom based console, all in one. Fairchild Channel F was the first one to use cartridges. The Vectrex controller and Atari 5200, was first controllers with a analog stick. I mean seriously i could be here all day picking the stuff out Nintendo has copied or bought rights too, such as the gyros in the wii controllers. They bought the rights from gyro which was PC exclusive. It's obvious you're very young. Maybe educate yourself on the subject.

Facts doesnt care about your opinion.

[Necr0philiac]

Everyone copied Sega. They were way ahead of their time

[Kryptix]

Not sure if this fits copying Sony's PS Plus, Microsoft's Game Pass or a combination of the 2, but Nintendo's paid subscription service which offers "free games."

[Stogz]

@Kun_ADR um he was asked what was copied. I know xbox fanboys like you are always looking for reasons to fight, but this is one you should let go. SMH indeed.

[Christopher]

@Tallon 'free' games with online play pass

[Silly gameAr]

Yeah, like every nintendo idea is always original, right?

[TallonIV]

Of course not, I never said that but if you look back through the years Sony has followed in Nintendo's footsteps on multiple occasions in both hardware and software.

[UCForce]

@TallonIV Can you say the same thing to MS ? MS Kinect is Wii rip off. Also, your previous statements sound ignorant.

[shinoff2183]

What on motion controllers. It was whack for wii and whack for ps3. Sony still brings it though. They could kill it with something like the switch. I wish they would it might attract some other devs

[xenz]

You know, Nintendo copied Sony’s dual analog-stick solution with Gamecube. They’ve also copied the share button on PS4’s controller and a slew of other things. But we all know you won’t aknowledge it because Nintendo never copied anyone, right?

[Prince_TFK]

Sony had also copied Nintendo as well with things such as motion control and games like Playstation Allstars. But hey, let focus on just a button lmao.

[Aenea]

@kun_adr

Is it copying when Sony was already working on the move controllers way before Nintendo released it?

[Araragifeels]

@Kun_ADR Objection! PlayStation were working on motion control ever since PlayStation 2 era and they have a video on YouTube showing a prototype of the PSMove in the PS2. But hey, let be ignorant and say that Nintendo created everything lmao.

[gangsta_red]

@aenea

Waitaminute...Sony was working on move controllers even before Nintendo's Power Glove??

@Arara

Just because there's a video of Sony working on something doesn't mean Nintendo wasn't at the same time or before.

Especially when Nintendo got their controller out to the market first.

[doggo84]

Hahahahahaa🤣 ok

[bluefox755]

It's too bad Nintendo won't copy them and get basic, modern console features, yeah?

[Aenea]

And MS copies from Nintendo and Sony and Nintendo copies from MS and Sony, who cares...

[Aenea]

"Sony has followed in Nintendo's footsteps on multiple occasions in both hardware and software."

Okay, give examples then, I'll wait!

[Gaming_1st]

As is everybody in the console business. Fujitsu was the first console to release with a cd drive. So it seems a lot of consoles copied that. Ps3 was first console with bluray and it seems another console copied that. We could do this all day.

[kneon]

@TallonIV

How about motion controls. I don't know that Sony was first, but there were way ahead of Nintendo having started filing patents around the year 2000.

http://patft.uspto.gov/neta...

Nintendo didn't even invent their tech for motion control, it was licensed from another company..

There is also a Sony patent that predates the Wii U but is a very similar concept.

And as others have mentioned they portable gaming consoles with video out and a dock with a video port, which is all the Switch is. The only new thing about the Switch is the removable controllers, and they are being sued for infringing another company's patent for that concept.

[SuperSonic91]

And Nintrndo is known copying the PSP with the Switch.

And don't forget that the PlayStation was created by Nintendo with full R&D and funding. So obviously a lot of Nintendo's DNA is in PlayStation.
Just look at the controllers.
Your precious Nintendo created its own undoing.

[Aenea]

The what now? Don't be crazy! PS1 wasn't create by Nintendo and they certainly didn't get funding!

Sony and Nintendo had a deal to work together on a new console, the Nintendo backed out completely out of that deal. Since Sony had invested money in game console hardware they decided to develope one of their own which became the PS1...

[super_cuddles]

Name one time Sony copied Nintendo? You can't ! If anything , Nintendo copy sony

[TallonIV]

Are you serious?? A quick google search would show the amount of times Sony has copied Nintendo LOL!

[madpuppy]

The Nintendo faithful are such wackos.
They ACTUALLY believe that Nintendo invented gaming and that they are the only ones that innovate. They also say moronic stuff like "games from Microsoft and Sony may look better but they aren't as "fun" as Nintendo games because the game-play is so much better in Nintendo games" garbage nonsense. But, I guess I would blindly love Nintendo as well...if I was a Child....or a man-child.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Probably not worth the money

[Maybay]

For the consistent negativity Nintendo receives (and rightly so, considering certain aspects of the company's baffling decisions), there's a lot of people who want Microsoft and Sony to be "more like Nintendo." It's probably software related, though in this case...

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

I find it hard to believe that it would be software-related, considering how often none-Nintendo gamers bash Nintendo games for being "the same thing over and over". [Despite buying third parties that are just the same concepts wrapped in different packages over and over. Bloodborne and Dark Souls, anyone? How about some more CoD?]

[shinoff2183]

My issues with Nintendo are the dumb decisions. The hard drive being incredibly small while pushing digital. The not bringing blurry to their systems. I get the switch though can't really bluray that. I actually like the switch. The indie support is great. Zelda was good. Mario odyssey sucked for me cause the tacky two player option. I know they will bring a proper mario though so I'm cool

[yardank]

Bloodborne is first party. Also, saying FromSoft games are 'the same contents wrapped in different packages over and over' is as ignorant as putting them in the same category with CoD.

[shinoff2183]

I think sony has done better software wise since ps1. It's where the games are

[PhoenixUp]

Unlike Nintendo, Sony has no reason to make a hybrid since their stationary consoles still find huge success

[TallonIV]

Unlike Nintendo, Sony's last handheld flopped so maybe they should consider making a hybrid.

[Nyxus]

Their latest home console is a huge success though, so there is no reason to.

[UCForce]

Can you say the same thing with Wii U which was a commercial failure ?

[OffRoadKing]

WiiU was an even bigger flop.

[Officialxandr]

Love Nintendo & PlayStation (I own both a PS4 pro and Switch), but damn is this website full of PlayStation fanboys. You can't even criticize or speak truth on PlayStation and their mistakes without getting down voted to hell. Ridiculous.

[super_cuddles]

Nintendo's last hybrid was a colossal flop, so they made another...

[Cobra951]

You're forgetting that Sony themselves said they can't ignore the Switch.* Rich explained in detail why the PS4 won't get shrunk to a Switch form factor; but like all successful companies, Sony is thinking years into the future. They might surprise you.

* http://twinfinite.net/2017/...

[Nyxus]

That doesn't mean they will make a hybrid console themselves, it just means they are aware of the competition they need to face.

[Prince_TFK]

Sony flopped with handheld console and Nintendo flopped with home console. So naturally they both concentrated their efforts on what they are good at. No need to make this thing another war.

[ILostMyMind]

I don't know what this "Switch" means but cleary would be nice have a handheld that its games runs on PS4/PS5.

[zivtheawesome]

well i guess like they said in the video they can make a laptop that turns to a console when connected to a tv, but then what's the point...

[capjacksparrow]

I'm honestly a huge fan of the idea of the Switch, it's the games that they have that don't sell me (not yet at least). I've never been into Mario or Zelda (yes, gameplay is some of the best, but the stories are always lacking for me). I would love to play some of my Playstion games on the go with proper graphics and such. The Vita had a streaming feature, but I couldn't use it on planes or anywhere without a strong connection, so if was super limited. I'm fine either way, a good book keeps my attention plenty nowadays when I'm on the road, though a second option is never a bad thing (hence the Vita). Also, I like trophies! They're a fun way to see what other people have played (and how much they did so, to an extent).

[Platformgamer]

god no please

[Kostche]

Why? why do we need weak ass handheld that stuggles to run games, if its for Remote play yes, if its for watered down mobile style games, no thanks, i have hard time keeping up with all the diffrent games in my spare time on my ps4/ps3 console, pc and switch, let along bothering to play while i am out and about trying to doing rl things

[OnDec76]

Too late I've already seen one uo and running on Youtube , the guy uses Joycon controllers too

[Twinblade]

PS vita is the same as Switch, are people forgetting?

[Prince_TFK]

How is it the same as Switch?

[Twinblade]

you can play ps4 games on it while on the go, as long as you have INTERNET access.

[Prince_TFK]

But you can play Switch game anywhere without internet access. So I’ll ask again, how is it even remotely the same?

[Derceto]

If it were 2013, and Sony could make a PS4 Switch, I may care. In 2019 or 2020 though? No, not really.

I mean really, they made a PS2 in the PSP, a PS3 in the Vita, and we all know how those turned out. Sony won't touch portable again anytime soon.

[super_cuddles]

Psp sold around what 3ds sold so it was massively succesful

[Einhander1971]

If the days of handhelds are over then u need to take a look at switch sales. The switch is a technical marvel with its hybrid nature. Mobile is huge look at the smart phone industry. Nintendo are tapping into that area. Sony and Microsoft are without a doubt watching seeing an opportunity for themselves. Who knows PS5 might have some sort of hybrid functionality, what ever happens PS5 will be amazing anyway.

[OffRoadKing]

I hope they never do, let Nintendo do Nintendo stuff, Sony has no need to change up whats proving to be massively successful.

[GamesMaster1982]

Don't need one. In fact we basically have one called the Vita. But we all know how Sony supported that thing.

[Gemmol]

I thought vita was okay tho

[GamesMaster1982]

Yeah it is a great handheld don't get me wrong. The only thing is Sony's lack of support for the thing thats the only problem. I guess it's like how Microsoft are supporting the X1

[zaherdab]

Microsoft is more likely from a hardware standpoint what they ve done with thrir surface tablets shows how much hardware they can cram in a tiny space though cost wise it wont make sense

[bluefox755]

I'm sure it's possible, but no, please no, lol. Leave the handheld to Nintendo, let Sony do what they do best, creating games that raise the bar on graphics and gameplay.

[DwightSchrute01]

Lol no one goes to playstation for good gameplay loool. Sony only makes cinematics that u watch.

[Roronoa0411]

Keep telling yourself that

[Skankinruby]

Lol oh dear lord desperate hyperbole at its finest

[Xavi4K]

Good luck with the battery

[Minute Man 721]

Isn't it called the Vita?

[marloc_x]

*Wasn't it called..

[Neonridr]

Not one that is power efficient or inexpensive enough. It's not like Nintendo couldn't have made the Switch 2-3 times more powerful. But they had to balance power consuption, heat, cost, form factor, etc.

Unless we wanted to spend $500+ for this thing, what was the point?

[Elda]

Not happening especially when Sony stopped first party support with the Vita.

[super_cuddles]

No the PS4 is gaming perfection, please , no improvements, there is a such thing as too good !!

[plmkoh]

I don't think Sony has the appetite for another handheld. The audience has moved on and I say this as one of the first Vita owners from 2011.

[FernDiggidy]

Would be sweet to be able to play games like GOW, Nioh, Nier, Bloodborne and Horizon on the go..... I highly doubt it though.

[super_cuddles]

When Sony release the PS switch, it will be at least 1000000 times more popular than the Nintendo version which will be obselete

[marloc_x]

Vita ..lest we forget

[knickstr]

I don't think it would work well for Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo games for the most part are very cartoon like and don't require as much processing and GPU to run when compared to Sony and microsoft with the more realistic graphics. Sony and Microsoft would have to completely change how they develop games to make it work.

[Christopher]

The premise is a bad one. You shouldn't be aiming to replicate home consoles with portable. That's been tried and hasn't succeeded. You need to make it its own thing and instead focus on battery life and accessibility over power and high resolution.