How to Play PS5 at 1440p
For most gamers, the PS5 is an easy setup. You plug it into your TV, it detects whether you have a 1080p or 4K display, and voila: the latest games are at your fingertips. However, those of us who play on a 1440p monitor rather than a TV may be disappointed by Sony’s lack of support for that resolution. Well, drink some champagne and charge up your DualShocks: 1440p is finally available on PS5 .
Why 1440p matters on PS5
As for movies and TV, there are two import resolutions: 1080p and 4K. The former stands for “Full HD” resolution, while the latter has four times as many pixels (that’s a lot of pixels). However, games treat these resolutions differently. Of course, there are plenty of 1080p and 4K games out there, but “medium” 1440p is often in demand.
If you want to play games at the highest quality possible, anything less than 4K may seem like a downgrade. In fact, this is a great resolution for games. As Lifehacker’s Brendan Hesse explains , 1440p offers twice the pixels of 1080p, but requires a less expensive monitor than you’d spend on a 4K display. While 4K has twice as many pixels as 1440p and four times as many as 1080p, it’s not as obvious to our eyes, especially if you play close to the monitor.
1440p is generally considered by PC gamers comparing hardware cost to performance, but not so much for console gamers. First, many people prefer to play on a TV that traditionally only offers 1080p or 4K options. Another reason is that, at least on the PlayStation, 1440p was never an option: Sony made the leap from 1080p to 4K in the last generation and focused more on improving 4K gaming on the PS5 than offering a different resolution to work with.
1440p is a win-win no matter what game you’re playing: if a game offers native 1440p output, it will look fantastic. However, if it only offers a 4K option, you’ll still see the benefits of downscaling to 1440p, such as anti-aliasing (the process of removing jagged edges from elements in a game). However, one downside currently is that the PS5’s variable refresh rate isn’t supported at 1440p. Hopefully Sony will fix this in future updates.
1440p on PS5 is currently in beta.
Here’s another downside: While Sony has finally added 1440p as an option, it’s currently only available to PS5 beta testers. Over time, this feature will become available to all PS5 players. But for now, it’s only limited to those who are enrolled in this trial version of the software.
Unlike, say, Apple’s iOS 16 beta , Sony’s beta isn’t open, meaning you can’t just register your PS5 with the program and install the software right away. However, it’s also not completely closed: Sony allows anyone to sign up to participate in the beta, provided they meet the following conditions:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must be located in one of the following regions or countries: USA, Canada, Japan, UK, France, Germany.
- You must have a valid, reputable PSN account with a current email address.
- You must provide Sony Interactive Entertainment (“SIE”) with full and accurate feedback on your use of the beta software in the manner and format requested by SIE.
If you are selected, you can register your device and try out future features such as 1440p gaming in advance.
How to play 1440p on PS5
To compete for 1440p on PS5, visit Sony’s official website to register for the PS5 beta. Click “Register Now” or scroll down the page. Either way, click Sign In. Sign in with your PSN credentials, then when you return to the home page, check the box to agree to the terms of participation. Click “Submit” and then keep an eye on Sony for messages about your beta registration in your inbox.
Once your device is registered, go to Settings > Display & Video , then select Video Output and Resolution. From here, simply switch from 4K (or whatever resolution is set on your PS5) to 1440p.
[ Fringe ]