AMD has unveiled its plans for FidelityFX Super Resolution 4.0, or FSR 4, the latest version of its upscaling technology. Designed with efficiency in mind, it aims to significantly improve battery life on handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, with the latter being one of the biggest offenders in terms of poor battery life, limiting its portability.
In a recent interview, AMD’s Jack Huynh revealed that FSR 4 is being developed as a fully AI-based solution. This marks a departure from previous FSR iterations, which relied on analytical-based filtering techniques. But how are they going to do it? Well, for starters, Huynh notes that “On the handheld side, my number one priority is battery life”.
The importance of battery life for handhelds
Emphasizing the importance of battery life for handheld gaming experiences, Huynh noted that users often struggle to achieve extended playtime on devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go – keep in mind these are both Windows 11 machines, which can be pretty resource-heavy compared to the Steam Deck. FSR 4 aims to address this issue by using AI to generate frames, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the device.
“So now we’re going AI-based frame generation, frame interpolation, and the idea is increased efficiency to maximize battery life. And then we could lock the frames per second, maybe it’s 30 frames per second, or 35. My number one goal right now is to maximize battery life. I think that’s the biggest complaint. I read the returns too from the retailer, where people want to be able to play these games.”
Jack Huynh via Tom’s Hardware
While the initial focus of FSR 4 appears to be on handheld gaming, AMD’s history of open-source algorithms suggests that the technology will be applied to a wider range of devices. The company’s commitment to supporting a variety of GPU solutions, including those from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel, shows that FSR 4 will likely be compatible with a range of hardware sometime in the future.
Similar approaches from AMD’s competition
The move to AI-based frame generation aligns with similar approaches taken by competitors like Nvidia’s DLSS and Intel’s XeSS. However, AMD’s FSR 4 is expected to offer unique advantages, such as its ability to optimize battery life across a wide range of devices, as well as widespread hardware compatibility.
While the exact release date for FSR 4 remains uncertain, AMD has confirmed that the technology is currently in development and has been AI-focused for 9-12 months. The company’s recent update to Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2) provides a temporary solution for improving frame rates on handheld devices, but FSR 4 promises to offer a more substantial performance boost and enhanced battery life.
