Sony PS5 Pro could debut proprietary DLSS-like image upscaling tech

It is all but officially confirmed that Sony is working on the next generation PlayStation 5 Pro, with an expected launch in 2024, possibly in September. While the exact specifications of its new SoC are yet to be fully nailed down, early indications suggest that it will get a raw performance boost of anywhere between 30-50 percent over the current generation. While that is still a welcome upgrade, it looks like Sony is aiming higher still by developing a custom Nvidia DLSS-like software API that will boost frame rates and improve visual fidelity beyond what the new SoC will be able to achieve unaided.

Although AMD’s FSR 3 has been rumored to be coming to both the PS5 (curr. reduced and bundled with COD MW III) and Xbox Series X consoles, given they both feature very similar AMD-based silicon, it has been noted that getting FSR to work on the PS5 is not as straightforward as it is for the Xbox Series X. The reason for this is that FSR utilizes a DirectX 12 feature allowing it to run key workloads asynchronously. As the Xbox runs a version of Windows with DirectX 12 support built in, this poses no issue for Microsoft.

Sony, however, is left with a situation where FSR 3 will still work on the PS5’s Linux-based OS, but it will be forced to run the same workloads serially, significantly impacting performance gains. This is where a Sony proprietary DLSS-like solution could prove to make a lot of sense, as Press Start reports. While FSR 3 is competitive with Nvidia’s DLSS, the use of hardware accelerated machine learning algorithms to boost frame rates could help to ensure that Sony gets a leg up on visual quality against any potential Xbox Series X “Pro” competitor.

Currently, the more demanding 4K games running on the PS5 deliver performance between 4K/30fps and 4K/60fps at best. Based on where the rumors are pointing for the PS5 Pro, it is possible we could see Sony’s next-gen console hitting 4K/120fps, particularly if Sony’s new upscaling technology materializes and devs are prepared to step up and take advantage of it. The latter will definitely be a concern, as optimizing games for FSR to run on consoles won’t be a problem as many are already familiar with the tech, using it for the PC versions of their games. Optimizing games to run using Sony’s purported new, but proprietary tech, will undoubtedly be more of a hassle.