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Sony PSP2 concept designs (roundup)

With rumors swirling that Sony will unveil the next-generation PlayStation Portable on January 27, CNET takes a look at all the concept designs floating around the Internet.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy
2 min read

This mock-up looks very similar to an alleged leaked photo of the PSP2. PSM3

With rumors heating up that Sony may soon unveil its next-generation PlayStation Portable gaming console, the PSP2, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the various concept designs folks have been posting on the Internet over the last couple of years.

Of course, some of the concepts are pretty far-fetched, but hey, give credit to the artists for letting their imaginations run wild. However, to keep things in context, here's a roundup of rumored features the new PSP2 (code name Veta) may have. As always, take these with a grain of salt, and you should also take into account that Sony is also rumored to be on the verge of releasing a PlayStation phone (may be named Xperia Play). The PSP2 and PSP Phone are supposed to be two separate products, but it's unclear whether Sony will unveil the phone or PSP2 first and whether they're indeed different products (they most probably are).

Either way, the Sony portable game console franchise is need of a boost after having a lackluster year and seeing sales drop off dramatically. Also, Nintendo is already showing of its new 3DS, which will be released in Japan on February 26 (March for the U.S.), so it behooves Sony to announce new PlayStation Portable products sooner rather than later.

Here are some of the rumored design and feature specs for the PSP2:

  • Larger than any of the current PSP units (screen is larger)
  • Powerful high-definition graphics that may measure up to the PS3's graphics
  • More internal memory than the XBox 360 (possibly up to 1GB of RAM--current PSP only has 64MB)
  • Dual analog sticks, D-pad, as well as face and shoulder buttons
  • Touch-sensitive panel on the back of the unit
  • Games will be on memory sticks, not UMD (like PSP Go)
  • Launch titles will include an Uncharted spin-off
  • Wi-Fi and possible 3G connection (or is the 3G only for the PSP Phone?)
  • Third-party developers are already working on games for the PSP2
  • It's unclear when the PSP2 will launch but signs point to late 2011 (holiday season)

To be clear, this is all speculation until proven otherwise, but we can certainly expect a much more powerful device. Feel free to comment on what you'd like to see in the PSP2 and what concept designs you like best. Vote for your favorite (the designs are numbered in the slideshow).

More: Video of purported PlayStation Phone hits the Web