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Microsoft’s DLSS competitor is out for the Xbox Ally X and works in handheld mode
Microsoft is rolling out Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), its image-upscaling technology, for the Xbox Ally X, Xbox Ally X20 and selected Windows Copilot Plus PCs. The release matters to handheld players because Auto SR can now run while the Ally X is being used away from its dock and on battery, bringing upscaled visuals to more gaming situations.
The update adds support for games running at 1080p and a Performance mode that can raise frame rates to as much as 120fps, compared with the previous limit of around 60 to 75fps. Microsoft cautions that handheld play at 1080p may be less optimal, though it expects visual improvements particularly in older games. Performance mode and Auto HDR compatibility will arrive through Windows updates.
In short
- Auto SR is rolling out to the Xbox Ally X and selected PCs.
- Handheld and battery-powered play are now supported.
- Performance mode supports frame rates up to 120fps.
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The case for
Bringing Auto SR to handheld mode gives Ally X owners more ways to improve image quality or frame rates when playing away from a dock, and support for 1080p and a Performance mode could make older games feel smoother on portable hardware. The expansion also makes the feature more useful across different gaming situations, while leaving players free to choose whether to use it.
The case against
The benefits may be limited by the handheld’s battery and performance constraints: Microsoft itself cautions that 1080p handheld play may be less optimal, and higher frame rates can involve trade-offs in image quality or power use. The feature’s value will also depend on how well it works across individual games, while Performance mode and Auto HDR support are still due through Windows updates.
Explained simply
Automatic Super Resolution, or Auto SR, is Microsoft’s system for making games look sharper by rendering them at a lower resolution and enlarging the image. It is an alternative to similar upscaling tools from Nvidia and AMD, and is designed to help games run smoothly on less powerful hardware.
Microsoft makes Windows and Xbox, while the Xbox Ally X is a handheld gaming device that runs Windows. Auto SR support on handhelds matters because players can use it while away from a dock, including on battery; the technology is also available on some Copilot Plus PCs, Microsoft’s range of Windows computers with built-in AI features.
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