Got a PlayStation 5? You should update it right now.
If you've been lucky enough to get hold of a PS5 over the last year, you'll know that the graphics are pretty incredible. But Sony has just quietly rolled out a new update that makes it look even better.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is now available as an over-air update for the PS5. This "dynamically syncs the refresh rate of the display to the PS5 console’s graphical output," which, in short, means smoother and crisper visuals. (Feeling lucky? Check out the latest PS5 restock news.)
The update is available over the air right now (Image credit: Sony)
According to a blog post on the PS5 website, to take advantage of the tech, gamers will need a HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TVs or PC monitor (check out our roundups of the best TVs and best 4K monitors). Gameplay in many PS5 titles "feels smoother as scenes render seamlessly, graphics look crisper, and input lag is reduced," with the help of VRR.
All Insomniac PS5 games now have UNCAPPED framerates thanks to the 120Hz VRR updateUp to 90+ fps on a console 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7MNSMe4CjRApril 26, 2022
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Initially, 15 PS5 titles will gain VRR support, including Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Ratchet & Clank. Gamers can also choose to apply VRR to PS5 games that don’t support it – although Sony offers (somewhat unconfidently) that this could result in "unexpected visual effects".
It's certainly an exciting time for game graphics, with the Unreal 5 engine promising previously unreached heights of visual fidelity. Meanwhile, games like Horizon Forbidden West are sparking unexpected debates about, er, facial hair. Still, it's not all beautiful – the less said about the people in Gran Turismo 7, the better.
Daniel John is Senior News Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of art, design, branding and lifestyle tech (which often translates to tech made by Apple). He joined in 2020 after working in copywriting and digital marketing with brands including ITV, NBC, Channel 4 and more.
