Sony has released a new PlayStation 5 system update that introduces more than routine stability improvements.

The September 2026 update brings a major graphics enhancement specifically for PS5 Pro owners by making Sony’s improved PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) image quality feature active by default.

Alongside the visual upgrade, the update also adds new communication and community features for standard PS5 users. The changes highlight Sony’s continued effort to improve the PlayStation experience through software updates rather than relying only on new hardware.

PS5 Pro receives automatic graphics upgrade

The biggest change in Sony’s September 2026 PS5 update is intended for PlayStation 5 Pro owners.

Previously, the enhanced PSSR image quality option was available as a setting that users could manually enable. With the latest update, Sony has changed this approach by automatically activating the feature after installation.

The new “Enhance PSSR Image Quality” setting is now enabled by default, so PS5 Pro users do not need to navigate system menus to activate the improvement.

Sony’s PSSR technology is one of the major differences between the PS5 Pro and standard PS5 models. The system uses AI-based image reconstruction technology to improve visual clarity, allowing games to deliver sharper images while maintaining performance advantages.

According to Sony, the updated setting provides clearer, more detailed visuals than previous image processing options.

If players prefer not to use the feature, they can manually turn it off through:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enhance PSSR Image Quality

No extra steps required for most PS5 Pro owners

Sony designed the update to make the graphics improvement simple for users. After installing the September 2026 system update, the PS5 Pro automatically activates the enhanced graphics option. Players only need to ensure that their console software is updated.

If automatic updates are disabled, PS5 Pro owners will need to manually download and install the latest system software through the console settings.

The move reflects Sony’s broader strategy to reduce complexity for users by automatically enabling key performance features. Instead of requiring players to understand technical settings, Sony is making improvements available immediately after a console update.

Standard PS5 consoles also receive new features

Although the PSSR upgrade is exclusive to the PS5 Pro, owners of the standard PlayStation 5 also receive several improvements in the September update.

One of the most notable additions is an improved voice chat feature that allows players to identify who is speaking during conversations. This feature is designed to make multiplayer communication easier, especially during large group chats where multiple players may be talking simultaneously.

After updating, players can enable the feature by opening the voice chat card in the Control Center and following these steps:

More > Display Who’s Speaking > Display Names

Users can also choose where the speaker indicator appears on the screen.

The addition could be particularly useful for online multiplayer games, where communication and coordination are important parts of the experience.

New Community Activity widget arrives in Welcome Hub

Sony has also expanded the Welcome Hub experience with a new Community Activity widget. The feature provides players with information about popular multiplayer games and current community trends.

The widget includes two different views:

Trending Now highlights ten multiplayer games or multiplayer modes that are currently gaining popularity.

Top 10 displays the ten most popular games from the previous week based on activity within a player’s country or region.

The feature is designed to help players discover active games and see what other members of the PlayStation community are currently playing.

Rather than searching through the PlayStation Store or online communities separately, users can now access trending information directly from the console interface.

Bluetooth control improvements for some regions

Sony has also introduced changes related to Bluetooth settings in certain countries and regions. The updated “Turn Off Bluetooth” option provides additional control over controller connectivity. The feature is intended to help environments such as esports venues, where managing wireless connections can be important.

When users select Turn Off Bluetooth through Settings > Accessories > General > Advanced Settings, the console does not enter rest mode, and HDMI Device Link does not function.

This gives event organizers and advanced users more control over how PlayStation consoles behave in specialized setups.

Sony continues improving PS5 through software

The September 2026 update shows Sony’s continued focus on expanding the PlayStation 5’s capabilities through software improvements.

While hardware upgrades such as the PS5 Pro provide additional performance, system updates allow Sony to improve features across millions of existing consoles. The automatic PSSR enhancement demonstrates how Sony is using software optimization to maximize the benefits of its upgraded hardware.

For PS5 Pro owners, the update makes one of the console’s key visual features easier to access. For standard PS5 users, new communication and community tools improve the overall experience.

PSSR remains a key feature of PS5 Pro

Sony introduced PSSR as an important technology for the PS5 Pro, allowing the console to improve image quality through advanced reconstruction techniques. The goal is to improve image quality and performance efficiency in supported games.

Traditional methods of increasing resolution can require more hardware power, but AI-based upscaling allows consoles to achieve improved visuals without the same performance cost.

As games become more demanding, technologies like PSSR are becoming increasingly important for console manufacturers. The latest update suggests Sony is continuing to refine the technology and integrate it more deeply into the PS5 Pro experience.

What the update means for PlayStation players

For PS5 Pro owners, the update delivers an immediate graphics improvement with minimal effort. For standard PS5 players, the update focuses more on improving usability, communication, and community interaction.

Sony’s approach shows that console improvements are no longer limited to hardware releases. Regular software updates now play a major role in enhancing gaming systems after launch.

As PlayStation continues developing its ecosystem, features such as AI-powered graphics enhancement, better social tools, and improved connectivity are likely to become increasingly important parts of the gaming experience.

TL;DR

• Sony released a September 2026 PS5 system update with major improvements.
• PS5 Pro now automatically enables the enhanced PSSR image quality setting.
• The update enables Enhanced PSSR Image Quality on PS5 Pro, improving visuals in supported games.
• Standard PS5 users receive improved voice chat features with speaker identification.
• A new Community Activity widget shows trending multiplayer games and regional top titles.
• Some regions receive improved Bluetooth controls for esports and advanced setups.
• Sony continues to use software updates to improve the PlayStation ecosystem.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.