When deciding on your next big purchase (literally), knowing if the PS5 supports ultrawide monitors can be crucial. Both the Xbox Series X and PS5 are often regarded as rivals to PCs, especially in terms of compatibility with high-end gaming monitors, so it makes sense to assume they work with ultrawide displays, but is this actually the case?
Since its launch, the PS5 has received significant updates, including an upgradable internal SSD and the capability to store PS5 games on high-performance external SSDs. The Pro version takes things further by supporting advanced ray tracing, AI upscaling, and even 8K. These enhancements demonstrate the console's ongoing evolution, but with these advancements, support for ultrawide monitors is a given, right? Let's assess if this expectation is realistic.
Does PS5 support ultrawide?
Neither the PS5 nor the Xbox Series X officially supports ultrawide displays, which is a notable limitation when comparing these consoles. Both fall short in this area, especially when compared to a gaming PC.
On a gaming PC, the difference is even more pronounced. Many AAA titles, such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Forza Motorsport, and Baldur's Gate 3, offer excellent ultrawide support, enhancing the gaming experience significantly. That said, using your PS5 with an ultrawide monitor is still possible...
Can you use a PS5 with an ultrawide monitor?
While the PS5 doesn’t officially support ultrawide screens, you can still use it with an ultrawide monitor—just not "officially". Most ultrawide monitors are QHD, and the PS5 is capable of intelligently upscaling its output to fit these wider screens in many cases. However, this upscaling often comes from 1080p, so the image quality might not be as sharp as you’d like, depending on the game. That said, the results might still be perfectly acceptable, depending on your preferences.
One thing to keep in mind is the aspect ratio. Ultrawide screens usually have a 21:9 aspect ratio, while the PS5 is designed for the standard 16:9 ratio. This difference will likely result in black bars on either side of the display, though some monitors can stretch the image to fill the screen. This isn’t ideal, as it can distort the image according to BenQ, but it’s an option if you prefer to fill the extra space. Despite these quirks, you can still enjoy your PS5 on an ultrawide monitor, such as the impressive BenQ MOBIUZ EX3410R or the stunning Samsung Odyssey OLED G9.
Will the PS5 get ultrawide support?
While we wouldn’t completely rule it out, there’s no clear timeline for when, or if, it might happen. Even with the more expensive PS5 Pro, there's been no indication the upgraded console will ever support ultrawide screens, not any time soon anyway.
For now, if you’re searching for the best monitor to pair with your PS5, we’d recommend steering away from ultrawide displays. Instead, consider opting for an HDMI 2.1 monitor to take full advantage of the console’s features—4K gaming at 120 frames per second, for one—and hope that the PlayStation 6 may be more accommodating for ultrawide monitor users.
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