Microsoft has officially launched Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), its upscaling technology competing with Nvidia's DLSS, for the Xbox Ally X, Xbox Ally X20, and select Copilot Plus PCs, the company announced today. The update enables handheld and battery-powered use and support for 1080p gaming.
The feature was previously tested on the Xbox Ally X in April, but was limited to docked mode. The full release now works while playing on battery and at 1080p resolution. Microsoft noted that handheld play at 1080p “may not be as optimal as other configurations,” but said users will see visual improvements, “especially in older games.”
Support for a new Auto SR Performance mode, available through Windows updates, will allow framerates of up to 120fps, compared with the earlier limit of “around” 60 to 75fps. Compatibility with Auto HDR will also be available through Windows updates.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Handheld gaming on Windows devices gains a first-party upscaling tool, potentially improving battery life and visual quality on the go.
- The Performance mode targeting 120fps positions Auto SR to compete more directly with Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR in the mobile gaming space.
- The update suggests Microsoft is investing seriously in gaming performance software for its ecosystem beyond the Xbox console.
Background
Auto SR is Microsoft's machine-learning-based upscaling technology, announced as part of the Copilot Plus PC initiative earlier this year. It uses AI to boost frame rates and image quality, similar to Nvidia's DLSS. Initial testing on the Xbox Ally X was limited to docked mode with lower resolution targets.
Key Perspectives
Microsoft: says handheld and 1080p play “may not be as optimal as other configurations” but promises visual improvements “especially in older games.”
What to Watch
- Whether Auto SR gains wider game support or requires developer patches to work optimally.
- How performance and battery life compare to native rendering and rival upscalers in real-world testing.
- If the feature expands to other handheld Windows devices or Xbox consoles.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAuto SR, Microsoft’s DLSS competitor, has launched on the Xbox Ally X with handheld support.The Verge: “Microsoft’s DLSS competitor is out for the Xbox Ally X and works in handheld mode.”
- SupportedAuto SR now works undocked and with games running at 1080p.The Verge: “With the official launch of Auto SR, your Xbox Ally X can use Microsoft’s upscaling technology undocked and with games running at 1080p.”
- SupportedAuto SR Performance mode will support framerates of up to 120fps.The Verge: “support for a new Auto SR Performance mode will allow you to hit framerates of up to 120fps.”
- SupportedMicrosoft announced Auto SR for the Xbox Ally X, Xbox Ally X20 and select Copilot Plus PCs.The Verge: “Microsoft is now rolling out Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), an upscaling technology that competes with Nvidia’s DLSS, for the Xbox Ally X, Xbox Ally X20, and select Windows Copilot Plus PCs, the company announced today.”
- SupportedThe update enables handheld play while running on battery.The Verge: “The full release of Auto SR announced today now works while you’re playing handheld and running on battery”
- SupportedAuto SR was previously tested on the Xbox Ally X in April but could only be used while docked.The Verge: “In April, Microsoft started testing Auto SR on the Xbox Ally X, but you could only use it while docked.”
- SupportedMicrosoft cautioned that handheld play at 1080p “may not be as optimal as other configurations.”The Verge: “Microsoft does note that playing in handheld and at 1080p might lead to performance that “may not be as optimal as other configurations,””
- SupportedMicrosoft said users would see visual improvements, “especially in older games.”The Verge: “but says you’ll see visual improvements “especially in older games.””
- SupportedBefore the new Performance mode, Auto SR was limited to “around” 60 to 75fps.The Verge: “Previously, Auto SR was also limited to framerates of “around” 60 to 75fps”
- SupportedThe Performance mode and new compatibility with Auto HDR will be available through Windows updates.The Verge: “The Performance mode, and new compatibility with Auto HDR, will be available through Windows updates.”
