Rumor: A 'design sample' of the PSP-3000
by Alan Tsang 
{ Jul 22nd 2008 at 1:00PM }
According to a poster on the PSPChina forums, the above is a "design sample" of another iteration of the PSP. The poster claims this information comes from a "reliable inside source" and that Sony had already finalized this basic design by the end of 2007. The only new addition so far is a built-in microphone, but otherwise the size and shape is the same as the PSP-2000. The Home button has been replaced by a PlayStation logo button just like the PS3 controller. Also noted is the hole between the volume buttons and the PSP logo, which the poster claims is where the microphone is located. The size of the metal ring has been reduced, allegedly to reduce scratches on it.
The poster claims he doesn't know the actual model number of the this PSP -- it could be a PSP-2100 or 3000 or something else entirely. "The pictures are actually of a design sample; whenever a new system is to be created, designers will follow Sony's instructions in creating several different versions. This is one of the versions that was created and then discarded. Next year when we buy this PSP, it will be slightly different, but I believe the microphone and smaller metal ring will remain."
Another set of pictures shows a black version of this so-called PSP-3000. The PlayStation button is slightly rounder and larger. The poster admits that the final design of real PSP-3000, or whatever the model number happens to be, is still unclear. Basically, even if everything this dude/dudette says is true, what we'll be seeing on store shelves might look completely different, assuming there is even a redesign in the works. Six more pictures after the jump.
[Via Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jak Logan @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:20PM
The back case doesn't look like it has the attachments for a UMD hinge... I wonder if it's going to be slot-loading?
Eric E @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:21PM
We have at least a year.
probably 2100, button and mic = nothing. They've got all these new colors and bundles coming anyway. and USA/europe has at least 18-24 months for psp3000 w/ sixaxis, HDD, 2 analogs, camera, cell phone, gps, touch screen and profit.
I wouldn't be surprised if they just starting changing the home button w/o notice or #++.
Wrathbringer @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:42PM
Remember, Sony thought that Google in the XMB and changing view speeds on videos was worthy of the 4.00 firmware number. I wouldn't be surprised to see these tiny additions as being the PSP-3000.
Lars @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:33PM
hardware and software don't follow the same revision number scheme. A slight design change such as changing the "home" button to a "ps" button will warrant a new model number.
Regarding 4.0 FW: they also added the ability to watch movies from the PS/PSN store. The revision number should go up +1 when there has been a significant change under the hood. It may not seem like a big change in functionality to you, or maybe just not stuff you care about, but whether the change is obvious to the consumer or not is irrelevant.
Phantom @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:53PM
maybe there will be a price change too , and possibly maybe some other options, like screen brightness etc .
andwhyisit @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:39PM
*facepalm*
The psp already has brightness options.
antgarcia62 @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:14AM
I would really like to see built-in wifi, similiar to the PS3. Maybe make the buttons different. Not like ''press'', but more of a ''touch''. Like touch-sensitive buttons. Loading times gone, increase the RAM again, and a tiny camera can work too, and....
-sigh-
So many ideas, by many adoring fanboys... just wish SCEI could listen (: /
AL7AIR @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:31PM
@ antgarcia62
I don't know what kind of PSP you own, but my PSP-1000 has built in WiFi.
jonathan @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:23PM
is it me or does the tv-out look different. There looks to be two arrows coming outta it compared to the one arrow on the slim i have?
Barndo111 @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:32PM
Nice, but where's the hard drive?
Would the microphone remove the necessity of an obnoxiously long cord?
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:20PM
Yes but now people on the subway will stare at you as you yell into your PSP. Just like the DS!
Brian @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:59AM
DOWN SYNDROME FTL HOW DARE YOU DISCUSS THAT DISGRACEFUL PATHETIC GAME STEALING (COD 4?!?! WTH) AND MARKET STEALING (BECAUSE OF STUPID NINTENDO FANBOYS WHO WOULD BUY A PEICE OF POOP (WHICH, LETS BE HONEST ISNT TOO FAR OFF FROM THE DS) IF IT WAS MADE BY NINTENDO)SYSTEM HERE(sry caps had capslock on for first sentance and forgot to take it off)
Brian @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:02AM
i apologize for my previous comment ^^ it was a little overkill
Errol @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:39PM
I like the new home button and reduced metal ring around the logo. I never had a PSP 2000, but maybe i will get this one :)
blueeyejudas @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:34PM
is it me or does psp use usb not mini-usb?
frothyfist @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:51PM
its just you
blueeyejudas @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:53PM
i mean the psp 3000 cos usb connected looks fatter than usual so not mini usb just the traditional one im questioning as joystiq says the usb port has been changed and i know that other psps use mini usb so does any one agree that this psp uses traditional usb 2.0 not mini-usb?
Gaucho @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:01PM
agreed.
blueeyejudas @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:56PM
plus the back case has a wider slot for the usb port on top
Gaucho @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:00PM
I hope this isnt it. I would think they would update the look a little more. since its inception is has always kept the same basic form. I'm banking on a complete redesign (probably not too different but substantially so), the addition of a usb port, and a mic. Maybe there will be some sort of touch screen interface but i cant really say i'd want that. My DS's screen (with screen protector) looks like it went under a lawnmower. . . still, might use it now for FFIV
RockerAnimeFreak @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:12PM
Meh. I have seen better modded psps. Mic or not. No xmas lights = no sale.
blueeyejudas @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:14PM
maybe make it even slimmer with even more curves
EdgeOne @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:45PM
Dual analog controllers? Or have we just all given up on that...
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:38PM
Maybe Sony will manage to improve the battery life further?
Whats the point of the ring if its only going to get scratched up anyways?
And damn it, its glossy all-around, I was hoping they'd make it matte, at least the back of the PSP Phat (except for blue) was matte.
The black PSP-2000s pick up fingerprints like crazy.
Zac Weallans @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:46PM
THIS CONFIRMS THE PSP3000 HAS A FLASH HDD OR HARD DRIVE. MALE A USB CABLES (FAT ENDED) ARE NORMALLY USED FOR MODEMS/HARD DRIVES EG PC OR PS3.
EVERYONE! THIS IS GREAT!
andwhyisit @ Jul 22nd 2008 9:08PM
It proves nothing, only that you could use any standard USB cable for USB mode (if it ends up in the final design) insted of a USB one. My printer uses a USB cable to connect with my computer. Is it a hard drive? No.
Andrew Hoffman @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:23PM
You know, Sony's got some nuts to even hint at a PSP-3000 release. They've done little to reinforce my happiness in buying the 2000! Where is GPS? Where are more new titles? I've lost a lot of trust regarding Sony and don't know if I want to stick around while they "figure things out" commercially.
gumby @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:44PM
Hell yeah where is the freaking GPS?!?!?!? Really starting to grind my gears.
blueeyejudas @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:43PM
i knew i was onto something with the fatter usb port
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:51PM
...it is kind of unlikely for Sony to release a 3rd hardware refresh just after the 2007 launch of the 2000 series. If this is real, then I expect something like this to be released alongside GT PSP in 2010.
thisguyrighthere @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:59PM
All I want is dual analog. The thing is absolutely useless to me without dual analog. I barely use it to check email when Im on the go anymore. I left it sit so long I had to re-set the time and date when I picked it up to make an ebay listing for it.
Dual fucking analog please. FPS's are useless without it. I may as well be playing Doom on a gameboy or that god-awful Ecks vs. Sever garbage on GBA.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:21PM
Expect that on the PSP2 not the PSP-3000. Adding another analog nub completely changes how you control games and on the current PSP it is too late to do.
Smokey @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:00PM
In the age of widespread digital cameras, why is this sort of thing never clear.... Cause it aint real
andwhyisit @ Jul 22nd 2008 9:12PM
I have a digital camera and still manage to take shitty blurred photos.
Jacksons @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:02PM
It looks like another revision that would be good for new buyers, but not essential for current owners. Updates like that are always welcome. The only thing I find weird is the ring change. The current metal ring is iconic, I would be surprised if they changed it like that.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:24PM
Well if this is real, there is one big plus to getting this revision. The built-in mic. That will make Skype MUCH more popular to use with the PSP and make voice chat a staple in PSP multiplayer games.
I bought a 2000 after my 1000's screen broke and if this is real and has a built-in mic I may consider getting it.
Jacksons @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:24PM
Yeah, you're right on that. A built-in mic would be pretty handy to have.
chw42 @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:59PM
You can tell that this is photoshopped. The incredible blur from the second image can't be camera induced. Plus, the home button on the silver PSP and the black PSP aren't the same.
andwhyisit @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:46PM
I checked it, it is not photoshopped as far as I can tell.
As they are "different versions" you would expect them to look different. Read all of the text in the post this time.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:03PM
Yeah I noticed the different PS buttons too and my skepticism bar shot up through the roof.
Seems faked...except for the blur which is actually possible because I just did a test shot with my Sony Cybershot s700 and I can believe that kind of blur.
Squirtbot @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:19PM
The PSP-2000 is a perfect design. Its sexy and works great.
Why anyone would want a new PSP-3000 boggles me, especially since everyone would just complain about it's design too!
andwhyisit @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:47PM
The design isn't final, duh.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:05PM
Well the man who 'leaked' this info said the build is largely the same as the PSP-2000 and that there are only a few noticeable differences like the PS Button, slimmer ring, and hole for mic.
edge @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:24PM
I wish they'd add dual memory stick slots (along with the ability to copy/move stuff between the memory sticks). While there are 8 and 16 GB memory sticks out there, they're still mildly expensive. Cheaper to just throw in two 4 GB memory sticks and call it good.
Ideally they'd drop the UMD drive entirely, include an ultra small hard drive (preferably with the ability to upgrade it yourself as you can with the PS3), and go to digital distribution for games (though they'll have to address the piracy issues that plague the console right now to achieve that).
Certainly it'd be cool if they boosted the processing power so it could do video out at higher resolutions (720p would be cool) as well as play back higher resolution video content.
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:26AM
I would like them to have a memory stick and SD slot, if the PS3s with memory card readers can support SD cards, why not the PSP!? Sony's newer laptops are supporting SD cards also.
Zippon @ Jul 23rd 2008 6:10AM
*sigh*
So many comments.....
So little comprehension.
ASSUMING this is real and not a fake or a photoshop, what does "real" mean? It's a design sample. Does no-one here know what a design sample is? Big companies constantly churn out variations of current products just to see how they'd look. It probably isn't even functional. There are undoubtedly dozens of different variations like this one that have been floating around since the PSP-2000 was finalized. Companies don't design new products all on paper. They build physical models (and then chuck 99% of them in the trash).
Get a grip, folks.
bryansurvive @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:04PM
well everyone knows its not real. its just a sample. people are just hoping for the best. why so serious? its just a psp model and we all im sure most hope for a few more add-ons wether it be a mic, dual memory, higher res, etc.
Alien @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:48AM
Slam in a hdd and its a great deal for me :D
Saru_sake @ Jul 24th 2008 3:33PM
I think this might be real because i remember that Jack Tretton said during the E3 that Sony wanted to add a hard drive or internal memory to the PSP and if u look at the 5th picture it looks like a hard drive could fit there not a hard drive but some kind of storing device because i open my psp slim and mine doesn't have that little square where the main board goes.
Kuaijin @ Jul 24th 2008 11:54AM
From what I understand most hackers hope that Sony will pump up the PSP 3000 series if it does happen to be able to do PS2 emulation. I seriously doubt a PSP 3000 will ever happen and if it does I'm shootong for maybe in 3 years it might have a release date if it does happen.