Bluetooth 6 taking off this year: What it brings, what devices already support it
Bluetooth 6 was announced in September last year, but it usually takes a while for a new standard to become widely available on devices. When switching from version 4 to 5, it took around a year before devices with the new standard were widely available.
This is also the case with Bluetooth 6, so it's safe to assume that the new version will become more widespread throughout the year. Xiaomi was practically the first manufacturer to offer a compatible device, namely the Xiaomi 15 and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. The Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra also supports Bluetooth 6 and Sony has now followed suit with the Xperia 1 VII.
Bluetooth 6 is also gaining traction among headphones. Unfortunately, Edifier has only just released its Doo Ace on-ear headphones, which cost the equivalent of $30 in China for the time being. However, many other manufacturers are likely to follow suit with new devices later this year. Whether the Apple iPhone 17 planned for September will support Bluetooth 6 is questionable, despite initial optimism.
And what does the new version offer? Roughly speaking, improvements in latency, positioning, energy efficiency and security. The reduction in latency is likely to be welcomed by many users, especially when it comes to fast feedback and delay-free interaction between players, such as in gaming, but also when watching movies. This is due to the newly introduced Isochronous Adaptation Layer (ISO-AL). Audio data can be split into smaller packets and distributed more quickly across the channels. Latency should thus be reduced to as little as 20 ms, and with the new LC3Plus codec, even to 7 ms. Currently, 50-200 ms is more common. The new codec also ensures better audio quality of up to 96 kHz and 32 bits.
Bluetooth Channel Sounding also confers more precise distance measurement; devices can locate each other at an accuracy of up to 50 cm, which should also facilitate pairing. This should also make switching between devices easier, for example, when a smartphone, laptop, and TV are connected to the same headphones. BT 6 devices also have fewer difficulties in crowded areas and are less susceptible to interference.
Furthermore, Bluetooth 6 is more efficient; the new version is said to consume less power, thus increasing the battery life of compatible devices.
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