Technology1 min read

Bluetooth is getting a big boost to data transfer speeds

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The new specification elevates Bluetooth Low Energy bit rates from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps, enabling a nearly fourfold jump in transfer speeds. Devices equipped with the optional feature are projected to reach the market in 2027, initially focusing on high-resolution and spatial audio capabilities. Beyond multimedia, shorter transmission windows will conserve battery life during accessory data syncing and allow artificial intelligence hardware to offload complex processing tasks to smartphones.

Key points

  • Shorter radio transmission windows will help extend battery life during data syncs and fi…: Shorter radio transmission windows will help extend battery life during data syncs and firmware updates.
  • Audio equipment will handle spatial, multi-channel, and high-resolution sound without rel…: Audio equipment will handle spatial, multi-channel, and high-resolution sound without relying on proprietary formats.
  • Extended reality hardware can provide more robust experiences without requiring active Wi…: Extended reality hardware can provide more robust experiences without requiring active Wi-Fi connections.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) that oversees the wireless standard has formally adopted Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT) as an optional feature of the Bluetooth Core 7.0. It’s an upgrade the Bluetooth SIG has been previewing over the past year that increases Bluetooth LE’s maximum supported bit rate from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps. It will allow for higher resolution audio to be streamed but also improvements to battery life and reliability.

Bluetooth is getting a big boost to data transfer speeds

The maximum bit rate of Bluetooth LE will increase by nearly four times.

The maximum bit rate of Bluetooth LE will increase by nearly four times.

The primary application for Bluetooth HDT will once again be for wireless audio, with the first devices supporting the new feature expected to appear sometime in 2027. The increased bit rate will support high-resolution audio but also new wireless audio experiences including spatial audio and multi-channel surround sound without requiring proprietary wireless formats.

Bluetooth HDT will benefit other wireless devices beyond headphones. Smartwatches could sync more training, health, and fitness data…

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