Microsoft’s DLSS competitor is out for the Xbox Ally X and works in handheld mode

Microsoft has begun rolling out Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) for the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally X20 handhelds, as well as select Windows Copilot Plus PCs, according to UA.NEWS. The Verge reported that the feature improves frame rates and visual quality in PC games and competes with Nvidia's DLSS.

The Verge said Auto SR first debuted on some Copilot Plus PCs nearly two years ago, and Microsoft began testing it on the Xbox Ally X in April, when it worked only while connected to a docking station. UA.NEWS reported that after the official launch, Auto SR is also available while playing in handheld mode on battery power. The Verge described the earlier preview as docked-only, saying Microsoft started there because "Docked play means larger screens and higher resolutions, where drops in image quality are more noticeable or where some games struggle to maintain smooth FPS."

Auto SR works much like Nvidia's DLSS, rendering a game at lower resolution to boost frame rates and then upscaling those frames to improve image quality, The Verge said. Unlike DLSS, AMD's FSR or Intel's XeSS, which have to ship with individual games, Microsoft's Auto SR is built into Windows and can apply super resolution to existing games without game-integrated options. The Verge noted it is not clear how well this will work across a variety of different games, and that players can toggle it on for DirectX 10 or later games with varying results. The outlet also reported that more than 80 percent of RTX GPU owners activate DLSS upscaling.

Microsoft is demonstrating how Auto SR can boost frame rates and texture details in Forza Horizon 5, The Verge said. The company is specifically leveraging the NPU chip on the Xbox Ally X to avoid impacting frame rates on the GPU side. Auto SR will be integrated into the Game Bar on the Xbox Ally X, letting players toggle it on or off, and Microsoft says it will be most useful for games running below 60fps.

UA.NEWS reported that Auto SR also supports games running at 1080p resolution, while Microsoft warned that combining handheld mode and 1080p may deliver less optimal performance than other configurations. The company reported visual improvements, particularly in older games. Previously, Auto SR was limited to approximately 60 to 75 frames per second; a new Auto SR Performance mode is intended to provide up to 120 frames per second, and it, along with Auto SR compatibility with Auto HDR, will be added through a Windows update.

Alongside Auto SR, Microsoft and Asus are improving the docking experience of the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X devices, The Verge reported. Gameplay will now move to the TV and the handheld display will automatically turn off when you connect to a TV, and the ROG Bulwark will now unlock Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smoother gameplay on compatible TVs. Microsoft is also working on extending this to other "Designed for Xbox" docks in the future.

The Verge also reported on a new Game Bar display widget for controlling resolution, refresh rates and project modes without leaving a game, a new Gamepad Cursor option, and "enhanced vibration" haptic feedback. Separately, Roanne Sones, CVP of gaming devices and ecosystem at Xbox, said a single library of games from various PC storefronts is rolling out this month, letting users add, remove, edit and launch installed games or apps directly from the Xbox experience, including games from other PC gaming storefronts and launchers.