AI Comes to PS5: Sony Improves Standard PS5 Image Quality with QSSR

Sony has announced an important technology update for PlayStation 5 users. The AI-powered image upscaling technology previously highlighted as one of the key features of the PS5 Pro is now available on standard PS5 models as well. Sony's new technology is called Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR).

With the new technology, Sony aims to deliver better image quality and more stable visual details in games on the standard PS5. Best of all, users do not need to purchase a new console to benefit from the technology.

QSSR Technology Comes to PS5

Announced by Sony on October 1, 2026, QSSR is a new AI-powered image upscaling technology specifically designed for standard PS5 hardware.

QSSR uses a neural network to process images rendered at a lower resolution and reconstruct them into a higher-quality image. This allows the console to achieve more detailed visuals without having to render every pixel at the target resolution directly.

Sony says QSSR is designed to improve image detail and visual stability between frames.

It Is Not the Same as PS5 Pro's PSSR

There is an important distinction here. The QSSR introduced to the standard PS5 is not exactly the same technology as PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) used by the PS5 Pro.

The PS5 Pro features more powerful hardware designed to handle advanced AI and machine-learning workloads. Since the standard PS5 does not have the same hardware capabilities, Sony designed QSSR to operate with a lower processing cost.

The PS5 Pro's PSSR therefore remains the more advanced solution, while QSSR brings a lighter, performance-focused AI upscaling approach to the standard PS5.

First Games Supporting QSSR

Sony has also announced the first games to support QSSR on standard PS5 consoles.

The first supported titles are:

• Marvel's Wolverine

• Ghost of Yōtei

Both games received updates introducing QSSR support on standard PS5 hardware.

The technology is intended to improve visual clarity and stability, particularly in scenes containing fine environmental details, characters and complex game worlds.

Developed with AMD

QSSR is also part of the broader technology work Sony and AMD have been developing together under Project Amethyst.

Sony has worked on a neural network architecture optimized for the existing PS5 hardware, allowing AI-powered image reconstruction to operate without requiring the significantly more powerful hardware found in the PS5 Pro.

This makes QSSR an important example of how software and AI-based technologies can improve visual quality without changing the underlying console hardware.

Is the Standard PS5 Becoming a PS5 Pro?

No. QSSR does not turn the standard PS5 into a PS5 Pro.

The PS5 Pro still maintains advantages thanks to its more powerful GPU, improved ray-tracing capabilities and hardware designed to make better use of PSSR.

Instead, QSSR brings part of the AI-powered image reconstruction approach used by Sony's newer technology to the standard PS5.

In other words, Sony is not bringing every PS5 Pro feature to the standard model. It is providing a more lightweight AI upscaling solution that can run on the existing PS5 hardware.

More Games Could Support QSSR

One of the most important aspects of Sony's announcement is that QSSR will not be limited to just two games.

Sony plans to make the technology available to PlayStation developers, meaning more PS5 games could receive QSSR support in the future.

However, this does not mean that every PS5 game will automatically receive QSSR. Developers need to integrate the technology into their games and optimize their graphics settings accordingly.

Sony's QSSR technology represents a significant software improvement for the standard PS5. Without changing the console's hardware, AI-powered image upscaling can help deliver more detailed visuals and improved image stability.

While the PS5 Pro's PSSR remains the more advanced solution, QSSR gives standard PS5 owners access to Sony's AI-based image technology without requiring them to purchase a new console.

Starting with Marvel's Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei, QSSR could become increasingly common as Sony makes the technology