Most PS5 updates come and go without much discussion. You install them, maybe notice a small UI shift, then move on. This PS5 update feels a bit different and is definitely worth talking about.
The 26.02-13.00.00 brings back a hint of what made older PlayStation systems feel more personal. Think back to the PS4 and specifically the PS3 era, when themes and small system changes actually stood out. Sony doesn’t appear to be fully returning to that, but there’s a similar direction here. The most important upgrade sits under the hood with PSSR, and then a few visible tweaks around customisation.
PSSR Upgrade Is the Primary Change in This PS5 Update
The only part of this update that really touches your games is the software patch to PSSR ( PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). If you’re using a PS5 Pro, this is where things actually change.
Image quality gets a noticeable lift. Edges look cleaner, textures hold up better, and there’s less shimmer when scenes move quickly. It’s not dramatic in every moment, but in detailed environments, the difference starts to show after a bit of playtime.
Some games are already taking advantage of it. Titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Silent Hill f, and Alan Wake II are among the early ones where this improvement is visible. Sony is also pushing support to more games over the next few months, so this isn’t a one-off update tied to a small list.
There are a few limits to keep in mind. It’s only available on PS5 Pro, and it only works in games that support it. You can also toggle it manually in settings under video output if you want to compare.
Customization Update
Welcome Hub changes: The biggest shift shows up here. Slideshow Mode lets you pull images from your Media Gallery and turn them into a rotating background when the console is idle. You can tweak how they transition and how long they stay on screen. It’s a small feature, but after a while, the home screen stops feeling static. Custom backgrounds also get more flexibility, even if it’s still not full PS3-style themes.
There’s also a new Showcase Mode that displays a full view of your Welcome hub background when your PS5 is idle. When activated, your Welcome hub automatically enters this mode after a period of inactivity, and you can customise exactly how long that wait time is. Users can also press L3 to instantly switch into this mode.
Messaging updates: New emoji support is part of the update. It works as expected, but most people won’t notice this unless they use messages often.
Stability improvements: General fixes are included, though nothing specific stands out. You’ll only feel this if something was off earlier.
Closing Thoughts
Most of this update sits on the surface, and you’ll likely stop noticing it after a few days. The PSSR upgrade is the only part that feels like it’s building toward something bigger. Going forward, more control over themes and deeper customisation would make a real difference, especially for anyone who misses how personal older PlayStation systems felt.
Disclaimer:
The content on this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate information, we can’t guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are those of the authors and may not reflect those of the blog.
References:
https://www.playstation.com/en-in/support/hardware/ps5/system-software/
https://www.gamingbible.com/news/platform/playstation/ps5-system-update-themes-640440-20260317
https://blog.playstation.com/2026/03/16/upgraded-pssr-rolling-out-to-silent-hill-f-monster-hunter-wilds-final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-crimson-desert-and-more/
https://gamerant.com/ps5-console-update-march-2026-patch-notes/
PS5 Update Out Now for Base Console Feature & PS5 Pro PSSR 2