Sony has confirmed it will add Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) – a key visual feature of Xbox Series X / S – to PlayStation 5.
The feature, which is designed to reduce of eliminate frame tearing and judder in high-framerate games, will be added to PlayStation 5 via a future firmware update, Sony said in an updated system FAQ.
“After a future system software update, PS5 owners will be able to use the VRR feature of compatible TVs when playing games that support VRR,” it said. A modern television with HDMI 2.1 is required to use VRR.
Although VRR is supported by Microsoft’s last-generation consoles, the feature has become even more important for next-gen games which support framerates of 60fps and above.
As explained by Digital Foundry’s Alex Battagloa, the feature is a noticeable omission on PlayStation 5 at launch as some games, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, suffer from visible frame tearing on the platform.
“As more games target 60fps in the cross-gen period and don’t quite sustain the target, so we’re seeing a resurgence in games with screen-tearing – something that was all but gone on last-gen systems,” he wrote.
“This isn’t a welcome development to be honest, and that’s why VRR – variable refresh rate – is such a boon. In terms of the experience on a standard 60Hz display, Series X is clearly worse off in performance terms.
“However, we tested Valhalla with VRR enabled on an LG CX display and the tearing is gone, and the presentation remains smooth: the console is fully in command of when the screen delivers a new frame and it’s a game-changer, especially for this title.
“The omission of VRR on PlayStation 5 is a real disappointment, not just here in Valhalla, but also in other games like Dirt 5.”
