PSP Phone features: What should it have?

One of the very real issues facing any portable gaming rig — be it a laptop or a mobile phone — is just how much of a drain is put on battery life.

Your PSP dying a death on a train is one thing, but when it's also your phone it becomes a much bigger deal.

"How is a converged phone/games console supposed to handle a 3G connection, Wi-Fi, a sexy bright screen and leading mobile graphics, for long periods of time, without suffering from catastrophic battery life problems?" asked TechRadar's own reviews editor James Rivington.

"It will be interesting to see whether the phone's battery will be able to hold up to more demanding games," added MSN's Taylor.

"Having to charge your phone halfway through the day because you've been hammering Gran Turismo on the train would be no fun at all."

PSP phone - rumours have stretched back for years

PSP phone - rumours have stretched back for years

PSP Phone: Rumours have stretched back for years

What is clear is that there is a genuine enthusiasm for the extension of the PlayStation brand into mobile phones, but Rivington believes that Sony have to aim high if they want to be a success.

"It's going to need to be one of the most innovative devices in recent memory if it's to succeed," he concluded.

"It's going to have to rival the best Android smartphones on usability and features, while also delivering a seamless, integrated gaming platform unmatched by other smartphones.

"It needs to differentiate itself from the iPhone and other Android devices, while also being fun and easy to use. It needs to feel complete instead of half-arsed."

Patrick Goss

Patrick Goss is the ex-Editor in Chief of TechRadar. Patrick was a passionate and experienced journalist, and he has been lucky enough to work on some of the finest online properties on the planet, building audiences everywhere and establishing himself at the forefront of digital content.  After a long stint as the boss at TechRadar, Patrick has now moved on to a role with Apple, where he is the Managing Editor for the App Store in the UK.