When will headphones get Bluetooth 6?

While smartphones are launching with Bluetooth 6 now, widespread adoption in headphones and earbuds is expected in 2026.

What are the benefits of Bluetooth 6 for audio?

Bluetooth 6 offers faster device pairing, improved multipoint connections, and significantly reduced audio latency for gaming and AR/VR experiences.

Can Bluetooth 6 help me find lost earbuds like UWB?

Yes, Bluetooth Channel Sounding in Bluetooth 6 enables precise device tracking, similar to UWB, without requiring an expensive UWB chip.

Home / Technology / Hear the Future: Bluetooth 6 Arrives for Audio

Hear the Future: Bluetooth 6 Arrives for Audio

24 Dec

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Summary

Bluetooth 6 promises faster device pairing and improved multipoint connections.
New features in Bluetooth 6 aim to reduce audio/video latency for gaming.
Bluetooth Channel Sounding may replace UWB chips for precise device tracking.

Hear the Future: Bluetooth 6 Arrives for Audio

Smartphones are rapidly adopting Bluetooth 6, but the audio device market lags, with many headphones and earbuds still utilizing Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4. This new standard, officially released in November, brings significant improvements to device pairing, aiming for faster and more stable connections, particularly benefiting multipoint functionality.

Bluetooth 6 also tackles audio latency issues, enhancing the Isochronous Adaptation Layer (ISOAL) for real-time audio transmission. This advancement is a boon for mobile gamers and AR/VR users, potentially eliminating the need for wired connections to achieve unnoticeable latency. Furthermore, the introduction of Bluetooth Channel Sounding offers precise device location tracking, a feature previously reliant on more expensive Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chips.