Sony's PS5 Pro anticipated to receive a significant upgrade in 2026, promising an enhanced gaming experience.
In an exciting development for PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) owners, Mark Cerny, the lead architect of the PS5 Pro, has confirmed that a significant software update, codenamed "Project Amethyst," is scheduled for release in 2026. This update will bring a notable improvement to the console's graphics upscaling technology.
The main feature of the update is the upgrade from the current PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) to an advanced version utilising AMD's FSR 4 technology. This upgrade promises better performance and image quality, offering a more immersive gaming experience.
The new upscaling technology is a "drop-in replacement" for the current PSSR, making it easy for developers to support. The implementation of "Project Amethyst" is a result of Sony’s partnership with AMD, a collaboration that also contributes to AMD’s next-generation RDNA 5 graphics architectures used in PC GPUs.
Cerny emphasised that the project's aim is to "move the industry forward" rather than focus on proprietary technology. This graphical boost marks a significant step in the ongoing innovation through Sony and AMD’s technical collaboration.
Next year, the PS5 Pro is expected to receive a new upsampling technology, aiming to make games run even more smoothly. The update could potentially lead to more PS5 Pro enhanced games in the future, addressing the relatively scarce amount of software showing true signs of enhancement since the console's launch at the tail end of last year.
Some remarkable games, such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, have been seen on the PS5 Pro, but it has been challenging for Sony to justify the console's eye-watering price point. The new supersampling technology will make enhanced games look even sharper at higher frame rates than they do now on the PS5.
It's worth noting that the base PS5 lacks the hardware capabilities for PSSR or this enhancement, making the PS5 Pro the only console to benefit from this update.
The new supersampling technology is being developed by PlayStation in collaboration with AMD, using AMD's FSR 4 as a foundation. The algorithm is currently being implemented on the PS5 and will be released next year on the PS5 Pro. Sony is consulting with its software partners to work out the best way and time to roll out the update for "Project Amethyst."
This update could potentially push back the usual console refresh window, marking a significant graphical boost for PS5 Pro owners and reflecting ongoing innovation through Sony and AMD’s technical collaboration.
Developers will find it easier to support the new upscaling technology in gadgets like PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro), as it's a "drop-in replacement" for the current PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This technology, developed in collaboration with AMD, utilizes AMD's FSR 4 for improved performance and image quality, contributing to a more immersive gaming experience for consumers.
