I'd be surprised if they don't have custom graphics hardware, of some sort, in there - I imagine the last thing Sony wants is to commoditise themselves by providing the same hardware platform as normal Android phones.
Even if they don't have custom hardware, I'd be shocked if they didn't have some sort of silicon DRM to stop the software running elsewhere.
It's pretty much the same Qualcomm hardware as every other Android phone (plus the physical controller). I agree that Sony will probably break new ground in Android lockdown.
Even if they don't have custom hardware, I'd be shocked if they didn't have some sort of silicon DRM to stop the software running elsewhere.