Bluetooth gets major speed boost with new High Data Throughput standard

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 13:26 · Archive

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has formally adopted High Data Throughput technology, increasing maximum data speeds nearly fourfold to 7.5 Mbps.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has formally adopted Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT) as an optional feature of Bluetooth Core 7.0. The upgrade increases Bluetooth LE's maximum supported bit rate from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps, nearly four times the current speed. The first devices supporting the new feature are expected to appear in early 2027.

The primary application for HDT will be wireless audio. The increased bit rate will support high-resolution audio and new wireless audio experiences including spatial audio and multi-channel surround sound without requiring proprietary wireless formats. Because HDT transfers more data in less time, it should also improve battery life by requiring the Bluetooth radio to be active for shorter periods.

Beyond audio, HDT will benefit a range of wireless devices. Smartwatches could sync training, health and fitness data to a phone without reducing battery life. Spatial computing and extended reality devices could offer more robust experiences without needing a Wi-Fi connection. Firmware updates for smartwatches and smart home accessories should become faster and less disruptive.

HDT will also help personal AI devices by allowing them to more efficiently hand off data to be processed by a smartphone, potentially enabling them to be lighter and smaller. The technology should reduce network congestion in homes where hi-res audio is currently sent over Wi-Fi, as it can now be transmitted via Bluetooth instead.

The feature is optional within Bluetooth Core 7.0, meaning manufacturers will need to choose to implement it. The standardisation means users will have compatibility across a wide range of headphones, speakers and other devices rather than relying on proprietary solutions.

How it is being reported

• Bluetooth 7 will bring a major speed boost for hi-res audio in 2027Bluetooth 7.0 Core has been published, with optional High Data Throughput for Bluetooth LE devices such as headphones and wireless speakers.TechRadar · 5 Nov, 13:11
• Bluetooth is going to get a lot faster in 2027Bluetooth HDT's rollout will benefit a wide range of wireless devices and how they communicate.Engadget · 4 Nov, 17:14
• Bluetooth is getting a big boost to data transfer speedsThe 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. […]The Verge · 4 Nov, 15:19

In this story: Bluetooth Special Interest Group · Bluetooth

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log