Microsoft Auto SR Leaves Preview With Handheld Support

Works on the handheld screen

During the preview, Auto SR only worked while the device was docked, since Microsoft expected the sharper image to be most noticeable on a big display. That ignored how many people use a handheld. The feature now runs on the built-in screen, whether the device is charging or on battery. Microsoft added this after player feedback.

The second fix concerns resolution. Most games on these handhelds default to 1080p, the screen's native resolution, but the preview only worked after lowering it. Many users missed that step, so the feature never switched on. Now 1080p games work out of the box, and once docked, the image can be upscaled to 1440p. Microsoft acknowledges that 1080p performance on the internal display isn't ideal, though older games should still look better.

Auto HDR and Performance Mode

Auto HDR, which adds HDR effects to games not built for it, previously had to be switched off to use Auto SR. The two features are now designed to work together, which should improve visual quality further.

A new Performance Mode is also coming. With Auto SR on, frame rates previously hovered around 60 to 75 FPS; Performance Mode raises that to 120 FPS, which should help fast titles such as racing games and shooters most.

Handheld play, 1080p support and the wider Copilot+ PC lineup are live today. Performance Mode and Auto HDR compatibility depend on upcoming Windows updates, so they may take longer to arrive.