Bluetooth has long been synonymous with fast, simple wireless connections between nearby devices. While early versions were mainly used to link headsets or transfer files between phones, recent developments have expanded its uses to include high-quality audio, precise localization and power management. Since the arrival of Bluetooth 5, there have been many improvements.
Bluetooth 5.0: higher data rates
The Bluetooth 5.0 standard, published at the end of 2016, significantly improved range and throughput while maintaining low power consumption, thanks in particular to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mode, offering double the throughput of up to 2 Mbit/s compared with the previous generation. This protocol has been used by most connected objects to increase their autonomy.
This version also allows a theoretical range of up to 240 meters without obstacles. Bluetooth 5 also introduces the ability to broadcast larger data packets, reducing latency and improving transmission reliability. This reduces the lag between sound and image on a TV or smartphone, for example.
Bluetooth 5.1: device localization
The Bluetooth 5.1 standard, released in early 2019, brought a major improvement: the ability for one device to precisely locate another Bluetooth device in its vicinity. Unlike previous versions, which simply estimated distance based on signal strength, this version introduced signal direction. Thanks to technologies such as Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD), a device can determine not only how far away another is, but also in which direction it is located. This makes geolocation much more precise, with a margin of error of just a few centimetres, compared with several metres previously.
This breakthrough opened the way to very concrete applications: locating objects or people in a building, indoor guidance, context-sensitive automation based on a device’s exact location, or contactless access security. In addition to this major new feature, Bluetooth 5.1 also improved connection reliability and reduces power consumption when searching for peripherals. It remains compatible with previous versions, while making Bluetooth more suited to uses linked to proximity navigation or the management of mobile connected objects.
Bluetooth 5.2: the new LC3 codec
Bluetooth version 5.2, released in 2019, introduced an important evolution for audio uses: Bluetooth LE Audio. This approach is based on the LC3 codec, which is more modern than the previous SBC codec. In concrete terms, LC3 delivers better sound quality, even at reduced bit rates. This means that music, voices or any other sound is clearer, while consuming less battery power, which is particularly useful for wireless earbuds and headphones.
Bluetooth 5.2 also brought a new way of organizing audio transmissions, thanks to so-called isochronous channels. This makes it possible to send several sound streams in parallel, in a very precise and synchronized way. For example, a pair of earbuds can receive left and right sound separately, without any lag. This technical basis also paved the way for Auracast, an audio broadcasting technology enabling several devices to listen to the same public or private audio stream, for example in airports or cinemas.
Bluetooth 5.3: efficiency, stability and safety
The Bluetooth 5.3 standard, released in 2021, didn’t revolutionize the technology, but added several discrete improvements that made connections more efficient, more stable and less power-hungry. One of the key new features was channel classification. Thanks to this, devices can better identify congested frequencies and automatically choose the freest ones, thus limiting interference and making connections more reliable, even in an environment with many wireless devices.
Another important addition is better power consumption management, via a function called connection subclassing. This enables a device to quickly switch from an energy-saving standby mode to an active mode as soon as there is an interaction, such as a call or audio playback. Finally, version 5.3 also improves data processing by making exchanges faster and better organized, contributing to a smoother Bluetooth experience in everyday life.
Bluetooth version 5.3 strengthens control over the pairing phase by allowing certain security requirements to be better specified, notably the minimum length of keys. In practice, this limits unnecessary negotiations between devices on key length, and avoids the use of keys that are too weak. This more precise control enables a better balance to be struck between security and performance, depending on requirements: some devices may prefer speed, while others may opt for a higher level of security.
Bluetooth 5.4: connected objects and home automation
The Bluetooth 5.4 standard, published in February 2023, remains fairly low-key for the general public, but introduced important functions for professional, industrial or highly specific uses. The most notable development concerns a new communication mode called PAwR (Periodic Advertising with Responses), which enables a large number of devices to send and receive data in an organized and rapid manner. This system is particularly well suited to sensor networks, beacons or devices used in stores to track products.
Bluetooth 5.4 also enhances security and reliability in environments where many objects are connected at the same time. Encryption management has been strengthened to prevent interceptions or intrusions, even on very simple transmissions. There’s also an improved ability to detect and filter devices present in a given space, optimizing exchanges and reducing the load on main devices. This version does not directly target audio or classic domestic uses, but it paves the way for larger, more efficient and more economical networks in the fields of commerce, logistics and smart homes.
Bluetooth 5: a solid foundation for new audio codecs
The arrival of Bluetooth 5 has brought the technical improvements needed to enable new audio codecs to work better wirelessly. With increased bandwidth and a more stable connection, this version has enabled manufacturers to offer more advanced audio solutions, capable of superior sound quality and better latency management. As a result, several proprietary codecs have been developed, each with its own specific features and advantages, depending on the intended use.
- Among the best-known, aptX HD delivers 24-bit/48kHz sound. aptX Adaptive, meanwhile, automatically adjusts audio quality according to the quality of the connection, with sound ranging from 16 to 24 bits as required. aptX Lossless goes even further, aiming for perceptible lossless transmission, with sound quality equivalent to that of CDs (16-bit/44.1kHz).
- LDAC, developed by Sony, is another widely used codec, particularly on Android, which can achieve quality of up to 24-bit/96kHz, provided both devices are compatible.
- LHDC (or its low-latency version, LLAC), developed by Savitech and supported by Huawei, aims for the same quality as LDAC, but is less widespread.
- Apple uses the AAC codec on all its products. It transmits 16-bit/44.1kHz sound, but its efficiency varies from platform to platform: it works very well on iOS, but less optimally on Android.
- Samsung also offers its own Scalable Codec, used exclusively on its Galaxy devices. It dynamically adapts the bitrate to maintain stability, depending on the quality of the connection.
Not all these codecs are part of the Bluetooth standard itself, but the Bluetooth 5 standard has provided a sufficiently powerful framework for them to be used under the right conditions. Compatibility depends in each case on the two devices, transmitter and receiver. Thanks to these options, Bluetooth audio has come a long way towards wired quality, while remaining practical in use.
🗒️ Expert tip
When headphones says that they're Bluetooth 5 compatible, it means they can benefit from a more stable, energy-efficient connection, but that alone doesn't guarantee good sound quality. For audio, the most important thing is codec compatibility, as these determine how sound is compressed and transmitted. A pair of headphones may be Bluetooth 5, but only use the basic SBC codec, which offers mediocre quality. To enjoy more accurate sound, it's best to check whether it supports codecs such as AAC, aptX, LDAC or aptX Adaptive, depending on the device you're using it with.
Since version 5.0, Bluetooth has evolved far beyond a simple wireless connection between two devices. Each update has brought targeted improvements: higher throughput, more precise localization, better audio quality, optimized power consumption and enhanced security. These developments benefit earbuds, smart objects and home automation systems alike. To get the most out of a Bluetooth device, it’s not enough to simply look at the version supported: you also need to check which codecs are compatible and intended uses.
