Sony has started rolling out a new one PlayStation 5 system update on March 16. The latest edition introduces some headline features to the pro variant of the console, while also bringing a minor Welcome Hub addition to the standard PS5.
The new update is primarily centered on Sony's upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, or PSSR, the latest version of which was previewed in late February 2026. Sony said the new and improved PSSR was tied to its Project Amethyst work with AMD and would arrive via a subsequent patch, which materialized on March 16 at
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PS5 Welcome Hub gets exhibition mode
In a subsequent tweet, Sony revealed that the mid-month update introduces another addition in the form of Showcase Mode. The feature works as an optional feature in the PS5 Welcome Hub, allowing users to have their consoles display full-screen wallpapers after being inactive for a certain period of time. For added customization, Showcase Mode also includes a slideshow mode that rotates through multiple images instead of displaying a single background when the console has been idle long enough.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
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Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Social media reactions to the Showcase mode appear to be mixed. When we looked strictly at the responses to Sony's original tweet, some users welcomed the addition, while others used it as an opportunity to bemoan the lack of more detailed customization options. Specifically, the tweet sparked a wave of comments calling for the return of full-fledged themes. Sony added limited-time customizations to the PS5 interface around the PlayStation's 30th anniversary in December 2024, but later removed them and never followed it up with the kind of extensive themes available on the PS4. That's despite the fact that PS5 owners even started a petition to preserve the classic themes, which gathered thousands of signatures.
Showcase mode from the new PS5 update can be enabled from the Welcome Hub settings screen. The feature spent a short time in beta ahead of its global release, with Sony first rolling it out to testers around March 12. The accompanying slideshow mode works on an album basis, allowing users to pick and choose which exact backgrounds from their media gallery to include in their rotations. The exact amount of time required for the console to enter Showcase Mode is also fully customizable.
March 2026 PS5 update brings new emoji
Another news coming as part of the mid-March patch is support for the Unicode 17.0 emoji set. Compared to the 16.0 series, the PS5 can now display seven additional emoji code points: Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature, Orca, Landslide, Trombone, and Treasure Chest. That's in addition to 156 additional emoji sequences like new combinations for ballet dancers, people wearing bunny ears, and people wrestling. Unicode 17.0 emoji can now be used in PS5 messages. The changelog accompanying the March 2026 PS5 patch also mentions improvements to general usability and messages on select menu screens. As usual, it also references performance and stability improvements. The patch notes do not provide additional information about any of the categories of changes.
As for the recently added PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution update, the enhanced PSSR model can be enabled in supported games by going to Settings, then “Display & Video”, then “Video Output” and enabling the “Enhance PSSR Image Quality” slider. The feature is not yet available in all titles, although Sony plans to expand support over time. Currently, the list of supported games includes Cyberpunk 2077, Silent Hill b, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthamong several others.
PlayStation Firmware Update Version 26.02-13.00.00 Patch Notes
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We've improved PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) on PS5 Pro. Enjoy sharper and clearer images in supported games.
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To enable the enhanced PSSR model for your PSSR compatible games that do not use the enhanced model, go to Settings > Screen and video > Video output > Improve PSSR image quality.
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This feature is only available on PS5 Pro.
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Unicode 17.0 emojis are now supported. You can use them in your messages.
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New features are now available for your Welcome Center.
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You can now use Showcase Mode to display a full view of your Welcome Hub background when your PS5 console is idle. When turned on, your Welcome Hub automatically enters Showcase mode when idle.
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With the slideshow mode, you can set an album as the background and rotate between the images.
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You can enable Showcase mode and Slideshow mode in the Welcome Hub settings. You can also set the idle time to enter Showcase mode according to your preference.
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You can now set your welcome hub background from your media gallery.
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A new background is available for your Welcome Center.
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We've improved the messaging and usability on some screens.
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We have improved system software performance and stability.
