PlayStation 5 to get major graphics boost via update, but there is a catch

Currently in beta testing, the release of Sony's system software update 14.0 is just around the corner. The highlight is an upgrade of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony's AI-driven upscaling technology. PSSR 2.0 is said to reconstruct lower-resolution images at higher fidelity, allowing for sharper detail and reduced artefacts or geometry flicker without increased hardware demands.

Version 14.0 will automatically enable the newer technology in compatible games, removing the need for users to manually select enhanced image-quality settings. However, there is a catch: this feature will only be available for PS5 Pro owners, since the upscaling technique depends on the Pro's more powerful CPU. Standard PS5 units are left out entirely.

Sony has not confirmed a firm release date, so the final feature list could still change before launch. Aside from scaling and connectivity changes, Sony describes only vague "stability" and "performance" improvements, leaving much of the update's real-world impact for standard PS5 users unclear.