PS5 Firmware Update Adds 1440p and Folder Support

A new firmware update is live for all PlayStation 5 owners globally. It’s the latest major update to the system’s firmware, following its beta testing period. The headline addition from the new PS5 Firmware is support for 1440p resolution. Also included is the “Gamelist”, which is Sony’s take on the “Folder” system from the PS4. A blog by PlayStation SVP for Platform Experience Hideaki Nishino detailed the changes inbound with the new update.

As mentioned, 1440p HDMI video is the main addition. “1440p” stands for screen resolutions with a vertical dimension of 1440 pixels. The most common 1440p resolution is 2560 x 1440 (a 16:9) aspect ratio. 1440p isn’t as common to see in TVs, but is popular for PC monitors as a midway point between 1080p (1920 x 1080) and the more demanding 4K (3840 × 2160). Now the PS5, which previously could detect only 1080p and 4K, supports it too. There’s one caveat, though: Using 1440p disables VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, which only works on 1080p and 4K. VRR is often used in games and on screens that support it to eliminate screen-tearing by syncing the refresh rate of the display to the frame rate of the game.

Check out a video promoting the PS5 firmware update below, with a handy visual reference for the area difference between the three resolution tiers.

There’s more in the package than 1440p, though. The PS5 firmware update features the highly-requested “Gamelist” feature. Gamelists live in the “Your Collection” tab of the PS5’s Game Library. Just select “Create Gamelist” and choose up to 100 games to add per list. You can have up to 15 Gamelists. Games can be added to multiple Gamelists, as well. The feature should allow finer organization and sorting of PS5 owners’ game libraries.

A few more convenience and social features are also included in the PS5 firmware update. Players can now quickly compare 3D audio and Stereo on a single screen to decide which presets they prefer. The “Activity” system in the PS5 menu will also make it easier to resume an in-progress activity. You can now also Request a Share Screen from a party member, as well as receive notifications when a party member is playing a game you can join directly. The PS5 now supports things like triggering a YouTube search via voice command (in English).

For PS App users, the update adds the ability to launch a PS5 Remote Play session directly through the app. This feature requires that both the PS App and separate PS Remote Play app are installed on a device, though.

The latest PS5 firmware update is now available globally. PS5 owners can access the update through their systems.