PS5’s Energy-Saving Mode May Reduce Console Performance
Marcus Thompson 
Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Sony is testing a new energy-saving mode called Power Saver on the PlayStation 5 as part of their Road to Zero plan, which could potentially affect console performance by limiting memory bandwidth and GPU clock speeds.
- The Power Saver mode might also be testing a lower-performance profile suitable for a possible handheld PlayStation device, with unnamed sources suggesting characteristics like fewer CPU threads, slower GPU speeds, and reduced memory.
- Simultaneous multi-device pairing for the DualSense controller has been introduced in the beta update, allowing users to connect the controller to multiple devices such as PS5, PC, or smartphones without manual reconnections.
- Sony has not confirmed speculation about a portable PlayStation device or the broader implications of Power Savers design for future hardware, leaving the potential for future announcements and developments.
New Energy-Saving Mode on PS5 Could Affect Performance and Preview Potential Handheld Device
Sony is currently testing a new energy-saving mode for the PlayStation 5, called Power Saver. This feature is part of the company’s “Road to Zero” plan, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2040. The mode is available only in beta via a system update and is not yet active, as no games are currently compatible. Digital Foundry analyzed the Power Saver mode within the beta update and raised questions regarding its potential impact. Their analysis indicates that Power Saver could decrease console performance by limiting memory bandwidth and GPU clock speeds. This might affect the smoothness of demanding games and could necessitate adjustments from game developers—an unusual requirement for a feature solely focused on energy efficiency. The potential performance reduction has fueled speculation that Power Saver might also be testing a lower-performance profile suitable for a possible handheld PlayStation device. Unnamed sources suggest this profile involves fewer CPU threads, slower GPU speeds, and reduced memory, characteristics consistent with a power-efficient portable system. This could imply that future game development may need to account for these tweaks, hinting at the mode being a preparatory step for new hardware rather than solely a means of reducing electricity consumption.
Energy-Saving Mode and DualSense Multi-Device Pairing on PS5 – Potential for Future Hardware Unknown
Additionally, the beta update introduces an improvement for the DualSense controller. Users can now pair the controller with multiple devices, such as the PS5, PC, or smartphones, simultaneously without needing to manually reconnect each time. Sony has not confirmed the speculation regarding a portable PlayStation device or the wider implications of the Power Saver mode’s design for future hardware.
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About the Author
Sophie Laurent 
Carlos Mendoza 
