Core Zen 6 Low Power: could the first use be in the portable PlayStation 6?

Yesterday, the first "semi-official" information about the arrival of the new AMD Zen 6 Low Power core surfaced, appearing through some modifications to the Linux kernel that hinted at the introduction of a third type of core alongside the traditional Zen and Zen C cores.

In the past, the leaker Moore's Law is Dead had anticipated its existence, linking it to the Canis APU, identified as the heart of the future portable PlayStation 6. Rumors suggest a configuration made up of four Zen 6 cores paired with two Zen 6 Low Power cores, a solution designed to drastically reduce power consumption during light tasks and improve the device's battery life without compromising gaming performance.

The introduction of a third core type would represent a significant evolution in AMD's strategy, which might use the Low Power core in other products, especially those aimed at maximizing energy efficiency. AMD has repeatedly shown a willingness to reuse its intellectual property across different product families, a strategy that allows it to reduce development costs and accelerate return on investments. Consequently, if this core were to debut on the future portable PlayStation 6, it would not be surprising to see it later applied to other APUs aimed at notebooks, low-power systems, or future embedded platforms.

It is unclear whether the core on the Canis APU will be modified to meet specific specifications agreed upon with Sony or if it will be used in the same configuration on both the portable PlayStation and AMD chips for other segments. Therefore, we will have to wait for further developments.