Hands on: Windows' DLSS rival isn't ready to save handheld gaming

PCWorld tested Microsoft's Auto SR, a DLSS rival exclusive to the Asus ROG Ally X, finding it delivers only marginal 10% performance gains in games like Borderlands 3. The technology currently works only in docked mode at 720p resolution and produces notably degraded visuals described as'muddy' and'swimmy' compared to native resolution. Auto SR remains in Preview status with significant usability issues including incorrect scaling and required game restarts, making it inadequate for handheld gaming improvement. Last week Microsoft announced the arrival of Auto SR, its Windows-branded alternative to upscaling tech like DLSS, with great fanfare. After being semi-exclusive to Snapdragon laptops, it came to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and nothing else. Not even the non-X variant, since it needs an NPU to run. And also it only works in docked mode, not handheld mode.