The ever-popular PS5 just got a new beta release of its upcoming major system update. With this, Sony has added support for 1440p HDMI output, gamelists (basically folders!), as well as many other additional features.
With a compatible display, the PS5 can now output up to 1440p natively. Even in titles that are full-4K, the display image will be improved thanks to supersampling, which allows the PS5 to take a higher quality image and downscale it to the output resolution of the display it’s connected to. So, in this case, although the 4K title will be output at just 1440p, it will look cleaner since it’s natively targeting a higher resolution. In case you’re not sure if your display can support 1440p, the PS5 will allow you to test it.
Digital Foundry has also confirmed that this beta contains support for 120Hz with both SDR and HDR.
The new beta doesn’t just contain new output options.
Another highly-requested feature from PS5 users has been support for folders. The PS4 already has such a feature, so many found it strange that it’s been missing from the PS5. Well, although it took a while, Sony’s finally listened. The new Gamelists feature pretty much functions like folders, allowing users to create their own custom “lists” and naming them accordingly. A single game can even be added across individual lists. Thus, each user’s Home Menu can finally look more organized, and therefore be easier to navigate.
To make jumping back into a resumed game, another new feature has been added. When completing an activity in a title and you leave it suspended, the PS5 will now prominently display what the last activity was.
Audiophiles will love that you can now compare the difference between 3D audio and stereo audio. Of course, a 3D audio-compatible headset will be required to hear any real difference.
For the more social butterflies out there, Sony is also including some new social features in the new update. Players can now request members of their party to start the Share Screen feature in order to watch their gameplay. There will also now be notifications to hop directly into a party member’s game. Players can also now view their newly accepted friend’s profile after the request is accepted, along with sending stickers and voice messages via the Game Base.
Sony has not yet announced a specific release date for the public version of the system update that will bring all of these new features to the PS5. But, selected participants across the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany and France will be testing this update for the next short while.
