Sony is preparing to release a significant software update for the PS5 Pro in March, introducing an enhanced version of its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution technology designed to sharpen image quality while maintaining smooth performance.

Mark Cerny, lead system architect behind the PS4, PS5 and PS5 Pro, confirmed the upgrade in a recent blog post, outlining improvements to the console’s AI-driven upscaling system. The revised PSSR technology refines both the neural network and the underlying algorithm, enabling games to render at lower internal resolutions while delivering higher perceived detail on screen.

According to Cerny, the updated system analyses each frame on a pixel-by-pixel basis before reconstructing it at a higher resolution. The goal is to preserve clarity and stability without sacrificing frame rate. The new approach is said to better balance visual fidelity and performance when compared with the current implementation.

One of the first titles to take advantage of the upgraded technology will be Resident Evil Requiem. Capcom has highlighted the visual enhancements made possible through the combination of its updated RE Engine and Sony’s improved upscaling tools.

Masaru Ijuin, Senior Manager in Capcom’s Engine Development Support Section R&D Foundational Technology Department, said the studio focused heavily on increasing immersion through finer detail. He explained that individual strands of hair and facial hair are rendered as separate polygons, allowing for realistic movement influenced by character motion and environmental effects such as wind. Lighting behaviour also shifts dynamically depending on how strands overlap, producing more natural texture and depth.

Ijuin noted that such intricate detail has traditionally been challenging for upscaling systems to process effectively. He said the new version of PSSR allows these complex textures to be reconstructed more accurately, enhancing both visual expression and overall atmosphere.

The technology update follows Sony’s 2024 announcement of Project Amethyst, a joint initiative with AMD aimed at advancing machine-learning techniques for graphics and gameplay. Cerny stated that Sony contributed to the development of AMD’s FSR 4 upscaling technology, with related innovations now being adapted for use within the PS5 Pro. The collaboration is expected to influence future console hardware and next-generation GPUs, particularly in areas such as rendering efficiency and power optimisation.

The enhanced PSSR feature will be delivered via a system update in March and can be enabled or disabled through the console’s settings menu. Several existing PS5 titles are also expected to receive patches to support the new upscaling functionality.

The PS5 Pro currently retails in Australia for approximately A$1,199, following an earlier launch price equivalent to around A$1,050 before adjustments. While the visual improvements offered by the updated PSSR are expected to be evolutionary rather than transformative compared with the standard PS5, the continued optimisation of the hardware may reassure players who invested in Sony’s premium console.