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The first devices with HDMI 2.2 are scheduled to launch in 2027. Around the same time, PlayStation 6 and the next-generation Xbox are also expected to hit the market. The overlap in timing has led to growing questions about whether the new consoles will make use of the latest HDMI standard and support 4K at a 240 Hz refresh rate.
HDMI 2.2 may debut alongside PlayStation 6 and the new Xbox
According to current reports, the first devices equipped with HDMI 2.2 are expected to arrive on the market in 2027. That's also when the debut of PlayStation 6 and the next-generation Xbox is anticipated. A similar situation happened with HDMI 2.1, which reached TVs before the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. That allowed the consoles to offer 4K at 120 Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low-latency mode (ALLM). HDMI 2.2 increases bandwidth to 96 Gbps, which enables uncompressed 4K at 240 Hz and 8K at 60 Hz. With DSC compression, the standard also supports 4K at 480 Hz and even higher specifications. That does not mean Sony and Microsoft will definitely implement HDMI 2.2. The new standard will only be necessary if manufacturers want to go beyond the current capabilities of HDMI 2.1. So far neither company has confirmed the specifications of their future consoles. There is also a risk that shortages of RAM and SSDs could affect the release schedule.
Support for 4K 240 Hz doesn't mean games at 240 frames per second
The introduction of HDMI 2.2 to the new consoles doesn't mean big-budget titles will run natively in 4K at 240 frames per second. Instead, the higher refresh rate could bring other benefits. One would be reduced input lag and smoother motion. The standard would also allow the VRR range to be extended up to 240 Hz. Additionally, game developers would gain more freedom when designing performance modes. Rather than limiting themselves to 30, 40 or 60 frames per second, they could use steady 80 or 48 fps options that pair well with a 240 Hz refresh rate. A similar approach has already been used in games like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon and Hogwarts Legacy, which offered 40 fps modes utilising 120 Hz TVs. HDMI 2.2 could open the door to more performance variants without needing to hit 240 fps. According to the HDMI organisation, TVs supporting 4K at 240 Hz are already being tested, suggesting the whole market is preparing for the next step in the evolution of display standards.
Although Sony and Microsoft have not yet revealed the specifications of their new consoles, HDMI 2.2 seems a natural fit for the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. The standard could enable 4K at 240 Hz, offering lower latency, a broader VRR range and new opportunities for game developers.
source: flatpanelshd
