The future of video game graphics is being reshaped by machine learning-based upscaling, pushing boundaries in how we experience visual fidelity. A prominent example is the PS5 Pro’s PSSR, which allows games to fully embrace 4K resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second, maintaining a balance between aesthetics and performance. While there will always be outliers, it’s incredible to witness the strides companies are making with this technology. AMD recently unveiled the next stage of its AI upscaling technology, FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), and PS5 architect Mark Cerny has hinted at a similar upgrade for PSSR by 2026, taking cues from FSR 4’s advancements.
In a recent statement, PS5 Pro architect Mark Cerny emphasized the significance of FSR 4 and the anticipated advancements in PSSR, calling them pivotal for the gaming industry’s future. FSR 4, specifically crafted for AMD Radeon RX 9070 graphics cards, has made waves with its remarkable enhancements over FSR 3, achieving a level of quality comparable to NVIDIA’s DLSS but without the hefty price tag. For a deeper dive into its improvements and how it holds up against DLSS, Digital Foundry provides an insightful breakdown that’s worth watching.
Sony is gearing up to mirror these strides in its own machine learning tech, PSSR, with plans to match the performance of FSR 4. In a chat with Digital Foundry, Cerny revealed Sony’s timeline, aiming for a 2026 launch.
“Our main goal for 2025 revolves around collaborating with developers to seamlessly weave PSSR into their games. Simultaneously, we’ve commenced integrating the new neural network onto the PS5 Pro,” Cerny explained. “We aspire to launch something akin to FSR 4’s upscaling capabilities on the PS5 Pro by 2026. This evolution of PSSR is designed to handle the same inputs and produce nearly identical results. However, this ambitious project demands significant time and effort, which is why this new upscaling feature hasn’t yet made its debut on the PS5 Pro.”
PS5 Pro enthusiasts can look forward to these enhancements, particularly those who’ve encountered issues like shimmering in specific game titles. While PSSR typically performs well, this next level of refinement aims to deliver an even smoother, visually spectacular gaming experience.
