Updated: New PSP design and features due for 2007?

According to PlayStation Magazine -- and we suppose they would know -- Sony has a PSP redesign in the works. It's not a PSP 2, the rumored device resides squarely in the realm of redesign, but the supposed 8GB flash drive from Samsung, built-in EyeToy and a thinner, lighter form factor would all be welcome improvements to the current PSP. Actually, all the specs match up nicely with the PSP 2 rumors we were hearing earlier this year, but supposedly Sony wants to go with the Apple model of iPod upgrades, and stick with the single PSP name. In recent interviews, Sony's SCEA president Kaz Hirai didn't directly discount the idea of a PSP redesign, but he didn't really give it a lot of weight either. We're willing to give this rumor a fair shake, but we'll have to wait for more info and a real pic to see if this thing can have DS lite-ish success at its purported March 2007 launch -- Sony sure could use a hit.

UPDATE: Our original post was based on a fan-made PSP mockup from Joystiq's writeup that threw us off the trail, but now we've got a thumbnail of the magazine scan thanks to PSP Fanboy.

[Via Joystiq]

[Andy S. @ Aug 30th 2006 1:03PM]

This device in this image also appears to have two analog sticks. Either this is completely Photoshopped, or Sony is about to stupidly stratify their already thinly-spread userbase.

[Nikolas @ May 14th 2007 11:48AM]

you know this whole idea is quite silly I mean like the only people who are going to buy this is people who are to lazy to pick their psp up it's not everyday you hear people whining 'OHHHHHHHHHHH I wish this psp was half a pound lighter mommy spen an extra 150$ to get me the new one that's lighter and has a built in eyetoy even though the eyetoys are only like 50$ at Wal-Mart MOM!' so people stick with your original black designed psp they look cooler AND THEY DO THE SAME THING P.S. if this comment sounded like I was dissing psp at all I wasn't infact I might go buy one later :) thank you for reading dis readers goodbye 4 now

[solomonrex @ Aug 30th 2006 1:11PM]

No, they NEED two analog sticks. YOu can't currently play fps's on the psp, and that's killing PSP! Those are the hottest games: medal of honor, socom, etc.

And I refuse to take the PSP seriously. Pre-release they were showing off Gran Turismo. POst- release? Nada.

[solomonrex @ Aug 30th 2006 1:11PM]

Isn't this a photoshopped PS2 street fighter controller?

[kevin @ Aug 30th 2006 1:14PM]

legititude????

wtf man, it's not even less letters than legitimacy.

[Travis @ Aug 30th 2006 1:17PM]

Are they going to add a blu-ray UMD drive and jack the price up to $600 too?

[shon @ Aug 30th 2006 1:17PM]

deff looks photochopped. however, i sold my psp for the ds lite, and i miss it. Sure i love my DS, but if they come out with a psp with a built in 8G drive, i'll go back in a heartbeat.. redesign or not. of course, i wont say no to a thinner and more features...

[Sean @ Mar 24th 2007 1:22PM]

I'm in your situation...I sold my White PSP for a DS lite. But if this new design actually comes out, I'm buying.

[grindboy @ Aug 30th 2006 1:20PM]

Yeh Right looks like a micky take!

First post woot

[bob @ Aug 30th 2006 1:24PM]

i was just wondering if anyone here knew the difference between photoshop, vector illustration and 3d rendering?

[_habit_ @ Aug 30th 2006 1:30PM]

Isn't that picture from a PSP Fanboy Contest?

[Adam F. @ Aug 30th 2006 1:31PM]

looks alot like the disney GAME iT! http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/29/disney-game-it-portable-consoles-for-the-pbandj-crowd/ how the hell are you supposed to use the joystick on the right and the buttons(X, triangle, square, and circle)?

[Element @ Aug 30th 2006 1:31PM]

The pic isnt real thats been a fan mockup since before the PSP was released.

[friktionn @ Aug 30th 2006 1:38PM]

so the pic is from a joystiq PSP redesign contest or something. I can't seem to find the actual post. but someone has to make sure that readers don't think that's some kind of official image from sony.

[friktionn @ Aug 30th 2006 1:38PM]

found it. here's the link to where this image ACTUALLY comes from.
http://www.pspfanboy.com/2006/02/27/may-i-have-the-envelope-please/

[saboola @ Aug 30th 2006 1:43PM]

"What it this isn't is a PSP 2"

English mother-farker, do you speak it?

[Andy S. @ Aug 30th 2006 1:46PM]

Paul Miller:

I know it's been said, but I'll put it in more polite terms: Could you please explain what "What it this isn't is a PSP 2" means, precisely? I'm not trying to be mean, I just want to know what you're trying to say.

[shon @ Aug 30th 2006 1:49PM]

the analog on the psp sucks.
-Photoshop is a program
-Vector graphics are based on mathematical algorithms that allow the graphic to be resized without losing image integrity.
-3D renders are just that a render of a 3D object using a program like Maya or 3D studio max.. wrong place to ask tho bud...

[kevin @ Aug 30th 2006 1:56PM]

hmmmm.

A PSP2? I 'd be interested...

A PSP+? Not so interested...

[SONY WILL ALWAYS SUCK @ Aug 30th 2006 2:12PM]

SONY WILL ALWAYS SUCK!

[jiggleballs @ Aug 30th 2006 2:20PM]

you know what sucks no matter which way you look at it......give up.......WOW YOU GUESSED IT>>>>>>SONY

[StreetStealth @ Aug 30th 2006 3:02PM]

The current PSP has a very sexy screen-to-bezel ratio, one of its few advantages over the DS.

This obviously faked (be it a vector illus or PS job) model adds so much more bulk around the LCD, it would essentially be the Nintendo DS redesign in reverse.

This would be the PSP un-Lite.

[Loban @ Aug 30th 2006 3:07PM]

2007 eh? So just in time for the new DS design, the DS Ultra-Lite er something. As if the DS can get any sexier, you watch, it will happen.

[HelpLine @ Aug 30th 2006 3:33PM]

@ jiggleballs

How many times must we go over this. When you make an outrageous statement you need to back it up with facts. If you decided to have sex with you Xbox360(and i know you have thought about it) there is a 90% chance that it would give birth to a shiny new PS3. Why, you ask? Cause your Xbox360 saw what the PS2 did to market in the past cycle and knows that it better have a backup plan once the PS3 hits this 4th quarter. You can now return to play Bejeweled on your Xbox Live Arcade. Thank you...and you're an idiot.

Yours Truly,

Help Line

P.S. You know the drill everyone, click on my name, chill out and listen to some tunes.

[nywing @ Aug 30th 2006 3:47PM]

Please take note, PlayStation Magazine PSM
is different from
Official Playstation Magazine OPM

[brett @ Aug 30th 2006 4:37PM]

not to say a redesign wouldn't be nice but the real problem with the PSP is the lack of interesting games. A redesign will not fix this.

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Aug 30th 2006 4:52PM]

@ Brett

Do you even know what games are on it? Just an honest question.

It's been getting alot of good titles as of recently and they have alot of good looking titles on the way too.

A redesign, coupled with the better library would definitely make the PSP a much better contender than it is. Given that it's actually considered a contender with Nintendo's DS is amazing in itself.

[Jism @ Aug 30th 2006 5:15PM]

There can only be one portable leader......

Gizmondo!

[Haydn @ Aug 30th 2006 6:27PM]

hmm psp2 so soon, hmm i wont be happy :|

[Brent @ Aug 30th 2006 10:33PM]

Needs to look more like a DS, if you ask me. Looks like they're about half-way there now...

[superguy32 @ Aug 31st 2006 12:23PM]

these upgrades are much needed, and highly anticipated. I, for one, will be looking forward to it. It would also be pretty cool if they use the full power of the processor, instead of only 2/3. Of course, they would have to upgrade the built in battery that it comes with, so it could have some kind of battery life.

[systemsavr @ Sep 5th 2006 6:52AM]

Why not just take the dual shock, pop a screen in the middle and ad all the wire ports, even a wire to connect it to a ps2 or ps3 like nintendo with the gameboy and gamecube...and with the ps'3 projected online services the cord could be used to download games. thus solving the crappy selection! I would buy it even if it cost $400. It would be the perfect handheld!comfotable and functional!