Auto SR arrives on the ROG Ally X and may provide an edge over the Steam Deck OLED

Auto Super Resolution arrives on the ROG Ally X, boosting FPS in demanding titles and promising an advantage over the Steam Deck OLED, with a full handheld rollout still pending.

A new feature is coming to the ROG Ally X, promising to bring the handheld to a performance level close to consoles by introducing Auto SR, or Auto Super Resolution. The function, available exclusively to Xbox Insiders, acts as an upscaler to increase frame rates in demanding games, with a focus on delivering more fluidity in titles like God of War Ragnarok and Red Dead Redemption 2, especially when the device is docked.

Auto SR is an upscaling technology that, for now, has no equivalent that works broadly on the Steam Deck OLED. According to the current approach, there is no equivalent software or hardware solution that operates on the machine as a whole, rather than being applied only to specific games.

Results already observed

As demonstrated by ETA Prime, Auto SR in Black Myth: Wukong enables 1080p at an average of 66fps, about 15fps more than native 720p. In God of War Ragnarok, rates rise from 40fps to 57fps, with upscaling from 720p to 1080p.

These numbers reinforce the potential of the feature to deliver console-like visuals in a portable format, with visible gains in demanding games, although there are variations between titles.

Current limitations

• Works only in docked mode.
• There is no support for DX9, Vulkan, or OpenGL at the moment.
• Not all games benefit from upscaling; in Cyberpunk 2077 there was a slight drop, even though the quality is superior to 1080p in many cases.

This combination of points shows that Auto SR is promising, but it is not yet a universal solution for all games or for pure handheld use.

Implications for the handheld market

Our review foresaw the Ally X's potential, and Auto SR expands this appeal for those seeking console-like visuals in a portable format. Although Windows 11 remains a point of concern, the frame rate improvements are already drawing attention to compete with the Steam Deck OLED and other options like the Legion Go 2.

Regarding availability, Microsoft has not yet announced a definitive rollout date. The fact that the feature is already in public testing among Xbox Insiders is seen as a positive sign for future expansion.

If Auto SR truly delivers the power it seems to have, it is likely that new brands will gain space to challenge Valve's dominance in the handheld market.

Additional context

It is worth remembering that in our previous review of the Ally X, we cited the potential of the hardware, reinforced by the arrival of software that can elevate the gaming experience. The evolution of Auto SR tends to influence purchasing decisions among users who seek console-like performance in a portable format.

What do you think of this technology? Would you buy the Ally X with Auto SR or do you prefer the Steam Deck OLED? Leave your opinion in the comments below.

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