PS5 update will add folders, support for 1440p monitors in 2022

While the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have been very similar in terms of their technical specs and features and performance, there was one thing that set Microsoft apart from other consoles: its compatibility to a wide range modern display and technology technologies. This gap has been closed. Sony confirmed in April that PS5 will be updated to support variable refresh rates.

The new feature is introduced in a system software beta available to invited users today, which Sony expects to roll out to everyone “later this year.” Also included in the beta are a bunch of interface customizations, including the ability to group games together in folder-style Gamelists.

Although most modern TV sets have 1080p or 4K resolutions, compatibility with 1440p (also known as QHD) matters because it’s a very popular resolution for gaming PC monitors. Many of these TVs are available, some with VRR. PS5 owners will love to have access to them all.

Video games with native 1440p support will show at the native resolution. 4K gaming will render at 1440p, but smoother images will result from supersampling down to 1440p.

The most important addition to the beta is gamelists. They allow you to arrange your games collection in up to 15 lists and up to 100 games per listing. You can add digital, streaming, or disc titles to Gamelists.

The beta also includes the ability for stereo and 3-D audio to be compared on one screen. It is easier to access in-progress activities; it’s possible to request that another player share your screen with you; and joinable game notifications.