PSP redesign revealed; Lighter, slimmer, lasts longer
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jul 11th 2007 at 5:03PM }
What a way to kick off the Sony E3 Press Conference. Kaz Hirai has revealed that a new version of the PSP has been redesigned, ready to be released in September. So, what's new in this version? Good question. Check it out:
- 33% lighter
- 19% slimmer
- improved battery life
- video output
- same screen as the current version
- still supports UMDs
The new PSP will also feature improved data streaming abilities to lower load times and will be able to charge its battery via USB. Sounds great to us! Will you be picking one up when it's released in September? If so, what colour?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zach S @ Jul 11th 2007 5:13PM
I'll definitely be selling my current one for one of those brand new white ones! HOTT! Plus, my PSP is pretty used, so it'll be nice to have fresh buttons and such!
PocketGoddess @ Jul 11th 2007 5:15PM
I was watching the press conference and only saw/heard mention of the black, silver, and white Star Wars special edition. Is it truly coming out in pink and purple, or was that just a joke I didn't catch?
TheGuy @ Jul 11th 2007 5:17PM
I was planning on buying the redesign, but after watching the Killzone 2 trailer all I can think about is the PS3. Still, I might hold-off buying a PS3 for Killzone 2 and buy the redesign to satisfy my gaming needs for now. I'll make-up my mind when everything settles in.
P.S. If I did buy the redesign, I would buy the black version. Once you go black, you never go back lol.
Joe @ Jul 11th 2007 5:24PM
I my self would like the Silver or Blue one. The only thing that makes me mad is I own Daxter and do not want the same game again. So I hope Sony will just sell the Systems by them self. That way I can use my 4gig memory card and not have to waste money buying a worse one. Also if it is true about the Pink one. I guess I know what to get for my Sister.
Mark @ Jul 11th 2007 8:12PM
Would it be possible to trade in an old PSP for the new one?
ninjakamster @ Jul 11th 2007 5:26PM
One thing that seems to be missing is the IR ports, look at the pictures on Engadget. I did want to use it as a remote thanks to homebrew. Has it really been removed : (
Do you guys think the previous PSP batteries and other accessories will work with this?
PSP-Retro @ Jul 11th 2007 5:27PM
The redesign sounds kewl but it would have been better to have some sort of screen protector built in instead of having to buy something a 3rd part addon. Does the redesign change the OS at all? I wonder if they have improved the internet memory problems?
merc25 @ Jul 11th 2007 5:29PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn_ku9nmA8U
I won't get unless they make it in metallic blue.
GRT @ Jul 11th 2007 5:30PM
hey guys, any word on what the two openings are on the face of the new PSP? They're above and inside the D-Pad and face buttons, at least on the pic that I saw on Kotaku.
Speakers? Microphone? Air holes to let out the steam?
xxplosive @ Jul 11th 2007 5:34PM
WTF???
no camera, built-in memory, SECOND ANALOG stick!!!! this is sony's version of the dsLITE. they should call this psp-lite. i'll sell my psp on craigslist and get the new slim design though. now just give me the manhunt 2 psp version and i will be happy.
merc25 @ Jul 11th 2007 5:42PM
GRT they are the same holes at the bottom of the current PSP.
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r284/merc25/?action=view¤t=untitled.jpg
nate @ Jul 11th 2007 5:46PM
I want to know about firmware for this bitch. Modding mine immediately...
GRT @ Jul 11th 2007 5:47PM
Ah, so they are. Thanks Merc25!
eric @ Jul 11th 2007 5:56PM
Geez...so can we finally learn to ignore all those silly websites like kotaku that purported to know all these additional features in a redesigned psp like onboard memory and a better LCD screen??
Dahk @ Jul 11th 2007 6:06PM
Well really the screens already been changed once right? At least a swap in manufacturer anyway.
I've been on the fence on a new portable =P and I think this has just shot me over. I shall pick one up come september! Must be piano black.
kingofwale @ Jul 11th 2007 6:07PM
no homebrew, no sale. I will be sticking with my PSP, thank you. :)
Don @ Jul 11th 2007 6:07PM
I'm a little disappointed that there's no onboard memory, like 8 GB flash or something like that.
I do like the idea of improved battery life, gotta see more details about it.
Same with the video out.
So the UMD door is held shut by friction? That's it? Looks kinda flimsy to me. Might have a whole new set of problems.
I hope in those packages that you mean "Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" is included with the white PSP Slim, not SWBFII. if so, that's the one I'd go for.
GRT @ Jul 11th 2007 6:12PM
"I hope in those packages that you mean "Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" is included with the white PSP Slim, not SWBFII. if so, that's the one I'd go for."
Yes, that's what was said during the conference.
And the price of the unit is $170 according to CNN:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/11/technology/psp.reut/index.htm
So the 'packs' will be $199 but it sounds like you'll be able to get just the new PSP for the same $169 price of the current model.
MaHe @ Jul 11th 2007 6:15PM
What? Where's the IR port (okay, it was used only by homebrew, but still)? This is a mere upgrade. What I would call a true upgrade would be something like that:
At least one of these:
- two analog pads
- an SD(HC) card slot
- USB 2.0 host chipset
- Bluetooth
And preferably:
- double the battery time
- get rid of UMD and use a read-only SD/MS format
- add a file manager in the software
Grrr.
required @ Jul 11th 2007 6:27PM
I'm looking forward to September. Hopefully the backlight is led and it has more ram.
Iain @ Jul 12th 2007 1:19PM
Will it be released at the equivilent price and same time in Great Britain?
1337stra @ Jul 11th 2007 6:34PM
I'm really disappointed, i was expecting Way more than this, some redesign...
grg_ibe @ Jul 11th 2007 6:37PM
For all you people that said get rid of the umd format what would happen to all the games already put on this disc? Would they they rot and go to waste? Although I can hardly call this a redesign (or lack there of) I'm ok with the faster load times and better battery... Still faster redraw times and more internet options would have been accepted.
As for GRT those are probaly the speakers since there were many complaints about the speakers being at the bottom. They put them there probably to aim the sound at player and not the ground :)
dejopej @ Jul 11th 2007 8:00PM
Where is the built in memory? Give us at least 512Mb. Memory sticks are awesome, but it would be nice if I could keep them just for entertainment purposes and to be able to use the built in memory for personal information. Or at least give use enough for saved games, so when that rare malfunction within the memory stick occurs I won’t have to threaten the PSP. Also some new applications would be awesome, maybe an alarm clock or a calendar allowing you to keep a schedule. Who cares if it’s lighter and slimmer, it’s not like it’s a brick right now.
Aaron @ Jul 11th 2007 6:41PM
Thank God they didn't put a touch screen like some of you were clamoring for. Hurray!
I'll get one. Just for the video out. SWAT is going to look awesome on the big screen. I might even actually buy a UMD movie when I get one.
My only gripe is they didn't mention any thing about the software.
The Web browser and Music player are still two of the weakest links in the PSP chain IMHO. That should be the easiest and quickest thing to fix.
*****OFF TOPIC: Any word on if Soul Caliber even has a chance at coming to the PSP? Anything? Even a flat out "NO" would be helpful. Capcom has to have seen how succesful Tekken was. Please, please, please? Something? ******
p-diddy @ Jul 11th 2007 6:46PM
woohoo!! So glad I waited! I am completely psyched about this. Def. getting one in September.
-p-
bxbailey @ Jul 11th 2007 6:58PM
I'll be picking up 2 one in white and the other in pink for my wife.
dantad @ Jul 12th 2007 12:45PM
Cool! I am trading in my PSP for that white starwars one for sure! it looks sweet! plus better battery life slimmer and lighter are nice plus sides as well =P
pixelator @ Jul 11th 2007 7:35PM
I gotta say this: To all the nellies who insisted that all the Sony denial of a PSP redesign was Gospel while discounting rumors of an imminent refresh of the hardware as bunk: LOL.
As I said before, Sony wasn't about to mention a redesign until just before the thing debuted (two months in this case). Why would they have let that cat out of the bag earlier, only to lose sales of the current edition while people waited for the new to arrive? Nintendo did this VERY THING with the DS Lite, which was almost certainly already in production when the original DS launched about a year earlier.
I say this is good. The PSP needed a freshening - but a full blown PSP2 ditching UMD and adopting dual analogs would have been suicide. I'd have preferred something a bit more dramatic, but with 8GB+ Memory Sticks dropping in price, the new model colors, video out & other improvements, I'm satisfied. This is a worthy successor to my vintage December 2004 imported JP region PSP. Finally I can capitalize on cheap UMD flicks and even watch them on my plasma.
I'm up for the blue, or white vader edition.
dorian @ Jul 11th 2007 7:35PM
1337stra, i agree... this is really dissapointing. I really wanted a flip cover screen like the ds or gbasp.
I'm not surprised at all with the remove of the IR.
Shinogu @ Jul 11th 2007 8:01PM
Hold the phone!
The new PSP battery is only 1200mAh, while the default of the original model is 1800mAh! They must've worked wonders if their statements about improved power consumption and so on are to be believed. I'm sold. Well, my PSP is. :P
Shinogu @ Jul 11th 2007 8:02PM
Oh yes, and count me in on the silver. Hope it's matte'd. PSP haet fingerprints. :
Kiteless @ Jul 11th 2007 8:08PM
I would like to get the white one, but it has a lame Vader logo on the back. So I think I may get the Daxter bundle. I have been wanting to pick up that game for a while. Anything but Black, it just gets finger prints on it way too easy. Heh, this will be my 4th PSP, I am such an addict.
- K
Kspraydad @ Jul 11th 2007 8:09PM
Notice they doubled the main memory too! Hope that doesn't mean there are things coming down the pipe that the old version won't handle.
Alan Bergfeld @ Jul 11th 2007 8:17PM
The bad news: No improvement to the interface;
The good news: Saves me a couple hundred bucks, 'cause I'll pass on the upgrade. Slim and light? C'mon!
The better news: Without new functionality, games after the new one comes out will run just fine on my old PSP - unlike if they were to add a second analog stick.
Kspraydad @ Jul 11th 2007 8:23PM
@Alan...
That is actually a concern of mine...
They have doubled the main memory (currently this would be the explaination for the quicker load times?) but could there not be games and especially features to do with PS3 interconnectivity that may REQUIRE that extra memory?
vR @ Jul 11th 2007 8:26PM
Not nearly enough for me to upgrade. Not even close. Hopefully, it's enough to win over the fencesetters.
p-diddy @ Jul 11th 2007 9:01PM
@vR
>> Hopefully, it's enough to win over the fencesetters.
It is. I don't own a PSP and I'm on board with the redesign. Can't wait till September. I love my DS, but you can't beat portable Tekken.
-p-
emirabal @ Jul 11th 2007 9:06PM
Have to admit that the tv out will boost the UMD sales, also make it a portable media player (i know its already a portable), i never was a fan though but now i can use it like a media center.
UMD wont go away until PSP 2 and they will just include a small attachable drive that allows you to play your old PSP1 games, kind of like the camera. But then they will also offer the titles for download as well to boost those sales.
Never had a use for the IR Port myself, never thought it was that thick to begin with or heavy for that matter, improvement in battery life is always a major PLUS PLUS.
Will definitely buy especially depending on the homebrew scene, i need that GOW-COO.
PSP-Retro @ Jul 11th 2007 9:20PM
If the main memory is doubled will this help with the running out of memory errors with the browser. At least now UMD can be watched on the Big Screen, people always whine about no extrea features, but to honest most movies I could care less about the extra content (commentary by director stuff) I just want to watch the movie. Now I can watch it at home and then if I have to go I can continue on the go, this is really neat!
Sean @ Jul 11th 2007 9:26PM
So I'll keep my poor fatass PSP for homebrew and get this new one for... not homebrew. (and the vader skin FTW!)
Thomas @ Jul 11th 2007 9:26PM
I was really hoping that the new version would have flash memory...
Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jul 11th 2007 9:47PM
hell yeah I'm getting one! My original PSP's screen is broken anyways, so this comes at a great time for me (and a fantastic value if you ask me!)
PSP FTW!
b @ Jul 11th 2007 9:57PM
hell yeah i was going to sell my psp for a ipod video but now im selling my hack 3.40oe-a to a friend for 270 just to get the new one ...waiting til blue comes out
zoen151 @ Jul 11th 2007 10:05PM
Uh... it looks the same. DO NOT WANT.
kingofwale @ Jul 11th 2007 10:10PM
let me digest this for you. (and when I say "you", I meant all the whinners)
*8GB internal memory -- Unless you want to pay IPhone price, yes, you are DREAMING, why would PSP feature that? When the MPAA and developers obviously have NO interest in giving out content without at least DRM? And frankly, do you even want DRM on your PSP?
*Second analog stick -- good idea, but not possible, Especially when North America's biggest PSP game to date is about to release next year (GoW) and Japan's Biggest game (yes, I do think it will be bigger than Monster Hunter) is set to release this year in Crisis Core, It makes NO SENSE to abandon the current format. Yes, it's flawed, but it's a PORTABLE for god's sake
*no UMD -- ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It will be like NIntendo saying, Oh, we are ditching all cartridge, bad PR move to say the least, you do not want to piss off your older iteration owners. Backward comp. is a MUST.
* games on memory stick: Not going to happen (via official that is), no developers will trust that until Sony has a FOOLPROOF anti privacy in place... but then again, we all know what an oxymoron "foolproof" is when it's in the same sentence as DRM and technology. ;)
all at all, Sony made a very safe move, it's a good one, 33% less weight is definitely doable. I would get one, if Dark_Alex is still there. ;)
ninjakamster @ Jul 11th 2007 10:29PM
Here's pictures comparing the old and new PSP. Enjoy!
http://www.t3.co.uk/__data/assets/fp_auto_layout_image/813235/psp-lite-08.jpg
http://www.t3.co.uk/__data/assets/fp_auto_layout_image/813224/psp-lite-02.jpg
http://www.t3.co.uk/__data/assets/fp_auto_layout_image/813226/psp-lite-04.jpg
zoen151 @ Jul 11th 2007 10:48PM
-45
Those pictures look like someone just took a white PSP and put it next to a black PSP. I don't see the difference. FAIL.
ninjakamster @ Jul 11th 2007 11:29PM
Uh, look again genius, the black one is the new one and the white one is the old one. Look more carefully, see how the IR port is missing on the black one, and the Wifi switch is at the top where the USB port is, and there's no more switch to open the UMD tray but a small groove to put your finger to open it? Look again dude.
Pal @ Jul 11th 2007 11:27PM
"What I would call a true upgrade would be something like..."
Yes, yes. But you'd be paying a lot more. You can't please everyone, neither can Sony. Live with it :)