Latest PlayStation 5 beta adds 1440p support and multiple UI improvements

After adding support for external SSDs and VRR (variable refresh rate), the PlayStation 5 hasn't received much in the way of a major software update. That could change soon, as the PlayStation 5 beta promises to bring forth a few important QoL upgrades. The update is only available to users enrolled in the beta program and will be widely available later in the year.

PlayStation 5 owners will soon be able to run the console at 1440p natively, an option that was conspicuously missing at launch. Alternatively, users with a 1440p monitor/TV can run the game at 4K and get crisper visuals by supersampling the video output. The new rendering option combined with VRR functionality could open up some interesting resolution/framerate combinations. However, VRR will not with at 1440p for the time being and is limited to the 1080p and 4K resolutions.

The latest PlayStation 5 beta also finally adds a long-awaited feature that has existed on platforms like Steam for a while, the ability to create lists. One can create up to fifteen lists with a hundred games each from. While the paltry 667 GB of hard drive space isn't nearly enough to hold too many modern-day games, the UI can quickly get cluttered once an external USB drives/expansion SSDs are thrown in the mix along with the litany of free games offered by PlayStation Plus Extra/Deluxe. 

Lastly, the newest PlayStation 5 beta also lets users compare 3D audio with regular stereo. One will need to connect a compatible piece of hardware to do so. Some multiplayer elements have gotten better, too, such as the ability to request screen sharing from party members directly and join a multiplayer game from the Friends menu. The in-game instant messaging client now also lets players send stickers and voice notes.

Buy the Sony PlayStation 5 on Amazon