PS5 power saver mode performance tests reveal how games may become playable on PS6 handheld

Many gamers believe that the PS5 power saver mode provides a glimpse into the future. While not as appealing on existing consoles, the option may become essential for the rumored PS6 handheld. Digital Foundry ran comprehensive tests on two PS5 games that support the new mode. The results show developers are taking different approaches to achieve more efficient performance.

In Demon’s Souls, energy conservation was accomplished through straightforward tweaks. The PS5 game normally runs in either a 4K/30 fps cinematic mode or a 1440p/60 fps alternative. However, the power saver mode becomes the only setting available, even on the PS5 Pro. In the YouTube footage, besides some occasional drops, gamers see visuals mostly stay at 1440p/30 fps.

As for power consumption, Digital Foundry observed a roughly 50 percent reduction in wattage. The decrease was from around 200 watts to 100 watts on the PS5, with the PS5 Pro slightly more efficient.

Days Gone Remastered demonstrates that developers can conserve power in different ways. Unlike in Demon’s Souls, gamers may still choose from a 1440p/60 fps performance mode or a 4K/30 fps quality option. Still, the testers discovered that the visuals often fell well short of those resolutions. At times, checkerboard rendering was noticeable. With many objects on the screen, frame rates plummeted to as low as 45 fps in performance mode, and scenery became pixelated.

The open-world survival title was thirstier than Demon’s Souls in the new PS5 power saver mode. Digital Foundry measured a drop from 235 watts to 115 watts, a similar decline percentage-wise.

Are the PS5 power saving measures enough for the PS6 handheld?

Overall, the results align with some leaked PS6 handheld specs. According to Moore’s Law is Dead, the device will limit CPU usage to 8 threads and throttle the clock speed of its GDDR6 memory by 50%. Even so, the Canis will need more changes to produce acceptable performance. A resolution of less than 1440p when not docked would help. Advancements in upscaling and other RDNA 5 features could also have significant benefits.

The portable PS6 will likely have a much lower power draw than the tested PS5 games. Still, as a successful first step, visuals remained acceptable in many cases while consuming half as much power.