PlayStation Portal Update: 1080p High Quality Mode and higher bitrate

Sony has just released a new system update for PlayStation Portal, which addresses one of the biggest issues with the device – the quality of the transmitted image. The most important new feature is the introduction of the 1080p High Quality mode.

What does the new update bring?

In short: Sony has allowed for streaming games with a higher bitrate. This means significantly less "pixelation" and compression artifacts, which could spoil the fun even with a good connection. To enjoy better quality, it’s advisable to have a connection speed of at least 15 Mbps. You will find the new option in the quick menu, and enabling it only requires restarting your gaming session.

The Sony move is not accidental. The company boasted that the number of people playing in the cloud on Portals has increased by 162% year over year. More than half of the owners of this equipment are subscribers of PlayStation Plus Premium. Since so many gamers treat this device as their main terminal for gaming, improving the quality of the transmitted image was simply a necessity to keep up with market expectations.

Additional Changes

Aside from image quality, Sony has refined several elements that were previously annoying. The interface for selecting specific games from large cloud bundles has been improved; we now immediately see a clear title selection menu. Another convenience is the login system. No more tedious typing of passwords using analog sticks; now you just need to scan a QR code with your phone to instantly log in to your account. It's a small change, but it saves a lot of time in daily use.

For fans of "platinum hunting," refreshed trophy notifications have also been prepared. They are now clearer, and obtaining the most valuable trophy has received a special new animation. Sony has also improved the functionality of the on-screen keyboard, which now appears instantly in the search menu. The entire update is being rolled out globally, so if your Portal hasn't downloaded it yet, check your system settings in the coming hours.