Sony’s PlayStation 5 software development kit is poised to receive a significant update introducing a power-efficient mode, sparking speculation about an upcoming portable gaming device.

Insider reports from Moore’s Law Is Dead indicate that developers are receiving documentation detailing a third operational state for both PS5 and PS5 Pro hardware. This optimized profile reportedly caps processing capabilities to eight threads, reduces 3D audio output by 25%, lowers GPU clock speeds by 10-20%, halves GDDR6 memory throughput, limits GPU compute units to 36, and disables PSSR upscaling and VR functions. These adjustments aim to decrease power consumption by 20-30% while preserving approximately 90% of system performance across existing software. Notably, Sony’s guidelines emphasize enhanced Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) implementation for titles utilizing this mode.

Industry analysts suggest the energy-saving configuration may serve as groundwork for unannounced mobile hardware rather than solely optimizing current consoles. Technical commentator Kepler L2 highlighted the profile’s memory bandwidth restrictions align with potential handheld APU limitations, stating: “This clearly mirrors an emulated setup for portable devices – cutting bandwidth addresses the mobile chip’s primary constraint.”

Oh this is 100% an emulated performance profile for the Handheld, since the biggest weakness of that APU is memory bandwidth and this profile is reducing PS5 bandwidth in half as you said.

— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) June 6, 2025

Though currently optional for developers, the timing aligns with Sony’s historical patterns – Trinity Mode debuted in SDKs nearly a year before PS5 Pro’s launch. Persistent rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 generation might launch alongside companion handheld hardware, making early software preparation logical. While official confirmation remains pending, these developments reinforce expectations of Sony expanding its hardware ecosystem in the coming years.