PS5 Pro turns on PSSR by default: the new firmware changes your image without asking

Sony has rolled out a new system update for PlayStation 5, version 26.06-14.00.00, and according to IGN Spain the most striking change is not a new feature but a decision: the "PSSR Image Quality Enhancement" option is now enabled by default. Until now it was up to the user to go into the settings and switch it on; starting with this firmware, the console applies it right out of the box.

This matters because PSSR is the AI-powered upscaling technology Sony reserves for the PS5 Pro, and the one the brand has used as the main selling point of its premium model. Having it switch itself on, even in compatible games that were never designed with it in mind, changes the experience anyone gets when they turn on the console without touching a thing. For most players it will be a free upgrade; for those who compete and fine-tune every millisecond, it is something worth understanding before leaving it on autopilot.

What you need to know

• The update is version 26.06-14.00.00 of the PS5 system software and is available to download now.
• It enables the "PSSR Image Quality Enhancement" feature by default, which previously had to be turned on manually.
• PSSR remains exclusive to PS5 Pro: non-Pro PS5 models will receive the firmware, but not this option.
• According to IGN Spain, the enhancement applies even to compatible games, not just titles with a specific Pro patch.
• Like any system option, it can be disabled from the settings if you prefer the game's original image.

What changes and who is affected

PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) is Sony's answer to NVIDIA's DLSS and AMD's FSR: the game renders at a lower resolution and the console uses AI to reconstruct the image up to the final output, gaining sharpness without paying the performance cost of native resolution. When PS5 Pro launched, applying this technology depended on each studio integrating it through a patch. With this update, the console takes a more active role and applies the image quality enhancement by default, extending it to a broader catalogue.

The affected audience is, in principle, small but loud: only PS5 Pro owners. However, that is precisely the segment with the biggest presence among content creators and competitive players, who bought the expensive model looking for maximum performance. For them, a setting that now switches itself on has two sides: a better image with no effort, but also different behaviour from what they had configured.

Background

Since the launch of PS5 Pro, the conversation in the community has revolved around whether PSSR is worth it in each game, with wildly different opinions depending on the title and the type of player. Sony's decision to enable the enhancement by default suggests confidence in the current state of the technology, although the source does not detail what has changed internally in this version or which specific games are affected.

Our take

Here at the Underworld Lordz newsroom we see it in a positive light, but with a clear warning. Having the console apply its best image tool by default is the logical move: if you have paid for a Pro, you should notice the difference without having to dig through menus. For those who stream or record gameplay, a cleaner image translates directly into a video that looks better after Twitch or YouTube compression, and that is real value.

That said, in competitive play we like things to change only when we decide. Upscaling that kicks in without asking can alter how you perceive edges, silhouettes or small text in games where every frame counts. We are not saying it makes anything worse, because there is no data in the source to back that up one way or the other, but the first session after updating should be a test run, not ranked. If you notice anything off, the option is still there to switch it off.

What we do find open to criticism is the communication: a change that alters the console's default behaviour deserves a more detailed explanation from Sony about which games it affects and why now. Trusting the technology is fine; explaining it to the user who paid extra for it is better.

What do you think?

If you have a PS5 Pro, you know what to do: update, jump into your main game and compare with a critical eye. Would you rather Sony turned these enhancements on for you, or do you want everything to stay in your hands? Tell us in the team chat or on our Discord.