In the coming months the PS5 you will receive one of the most requested features by players: support for variable refresh rate or VRR. The novelty was confirmed by Sony in the last few hours, with the release of the latest system update for the PS4 and PlayStation 5.
As explained by the Japanese company, this option will take care of dynamically synchronize the screen refresh rate with the graphical output of the PS5. In theory, this will bring important benefits in the visual section when playing; from sharper graphics and smoother scenes, to a more consistent experience thanks to minimized frame rate drop, to name a few.
One key point to note is that the PS5’s variable refresh rate will only work with HDMI 2.1 compatible TVs and monitors. In fact, support for VRR came to many Sony televisions just a couple of weeks ago, through a software update. This determination had fueled the expectation that there would soon be news about the arrival of this technology on the PlayStation 5.
According to the announcement of the Japanese company, the PS5 games already released will be able to incorporate support for the variable refresh rate with future updates; and it is even mentioned that future titles could be released with this feature. However, what is truly striking is that users they will be able to apply the VRR to video games that do not support it. “This feature can improve video quality for some games. If this produces unexpected visual effects, you can disable it at any time,” they said.
It is worth mentioning that, once implemented, the variable refresh rate will not be mandatory on the PS5. Sony explained that it can be activated or deactivated according to the taste or need of each player.
Support for VRR, a long pending account of the PS5
That Sony has not yet mentioned specific dates for the launch of VRR on the PlayStation 5, leaves us with a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, it is good that the console is closer to receiving one of the features most demanded by the public; On the other hand, the fact that it is only mentioned that it will arrive in “next few months” only fuels the uncertainty in this regard.
Keep in mind that variable refresh rate support has been promised since the launch of the PS5. What’s more, shortly after the console was released in November 2020, VRR was promised to be added via an update. Since then, users are waiting patiently.
To all this must be added that Xbox Series X|S supports variable refresh rate since launch. This means that the Sony console is already more than a year late in adding this option, compared to its main competitors.
And when VRR support finally arrives on the PS5, let’s hope it’s for the best. For now, from Sony they have already opened the umbrella and assured that results may vary depending on which TV and game is used. “As we get closer to the release of the feature, we will share more details, including some of the games that will enable VRR support through a patch,” they said.
Before the variable refresh rate arrives on the PlayStation 5, Sony is expected to carry out tests with the testers of its Beta program. So if we really do see support for VRR in a matter of months, there could soon be news among testers of features in development.
