Skip to main content

New PS5 update makes the DualSense’s mic and speaker even better

A DualSense and DualSense Edge sit on a table together.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends

Sony rolled out another beefy PlayStation 5 update today with the main goals of improving the speakers and mic on the DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers and deepening the number of Share Screen viewer interactions.

According to a PlayStation Blog post from when this update first entered beta testing in February, the speaker on the DualSense controller will now be able to output sounds more clearly at a higher volume. If you’ve been playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, this update is useful because it will make Chadley sound better when they are speaking through your DualSense. Sony also says it’s using machine learning to improve noise cancellation on the DualSense’s built-in microphone.

“Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience,” the PlayStation Blog post states. Make sure you update both your console and DualSense controller today for access to these improvements. Once you do so, you’ll also see the option to adjust the PS5 power indicator’s brightness in your PS5 system settings menu.

Outside of those improvements, the other area that’s seen some major updates is Share Screen, the feature that lets players stream gameplay from their console to their friends. Following this March 13 update, Share Screen viewers now have the ability to move a pointer around on the screen. They can use this pointer to draw lines or ping certain areas of the screen to help the player hosting the stream. Viewers can also now also use emoji reactions.

This update is available to all PS5 owners now, while the Share Screen additions will come to that PlayStation App on mobile phones sometime later this month.

Editors' Recommendations

Tomas Franzese
Tomas Franzese is a Staff Writer at Digital Trends, where he reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…
This PS5 Pro leak reveals a massive jump in performance
The Playstation 5 system standing upright.

Sony is indeed working on a more advanced version of the PlayStation 5 that could feature a more powerful GPU that's potentially up to three times faster for specific tasks compared to current PS5 models.

YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead claims to have obtained a technical overview document for the PS5 Pro, code-named Trinity, and Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson has confirmed the leaked specifications' accuracy, which suggests a holiday 2024 release window for the console.

Read more
PS4 vs. PS5: which console should you buy in 2024?
PlayStation 5 controller and PS5.

PlayStation 5 has been available for several years now, and it's easier than ever to find it in stock at retailers. The new-gen hardware makes big upgrades over its predecessor, letting gamers enjoy better graphics, shorter loading times, and support for the fancy DualSense controller. It's also much more expensive than PS4, so while PS5 is better than PS4 in most regards, it might not be ideal for frugal shoppers.

But is PS4 or PS5 the better choice in 2024? Does the aging PS4 really make sense to purchase right now, or should you opt for the PS5? From pricing and available games to storage and resolution, here's a closer look at these two popular consoles.
PS5 vs. PS4 vs. PS4 Pro specs
Even a cursory glance at the specs of the PS5 shows that it’s in a different league than the PS4 (and even the PS4 Pro). Sony has improved the capabilities of its platform in every way, adding more efficient storage, faster compute parts, support for larger capacity disks, and support for higher resolutions. We know there are two versions of the PS5 -- the Standard Edition and Digital Edition -- both of which will offer the same specs (with the exception of the omission of a disc drive with the Digital Edition).

Read more
Sea of Thieves confirmed for PS5 as Xbox details multiplatform rollout
Enemies in Sea of Thieves

Microsoft has finally laid out when people can expect Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Grounded to go fully multiplatform.

On Wednesday morning, Pentiment and Grounded were confirmed for Nintendo Switch during the February Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, and Hi-Fi Rush's PS5 release date leaked shortly thereafter. After all that, Microsoft put out an Xbox Wire post detailing which four of its Xbox console-exclusive games will go multiplatform and when they will do so. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer previously refused to do so during a podcast confirming Xbox's multiplatform plans on February 15.

Read more