We are finally seeing Bluetooth 6.0 in the latest phones and wireless earbuds. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what’s new and how it will affect your everyday use. So, I did the research for youa nd trust me, Bluetooth 6.0 comes with big upgrades, especially for audio.
Let me explain everything in simple words, especially if you use earbuds or headphones daily.
First, A Quick Look Back…
Before this, most updates (like Bluetooth 5.1, 5.2, etc.) were focused on IoT (Internet of Things) devices not much for audio. One good feature was introduced in Bluetooth 5.2: LE Audio with LC3 codec. It made audio faster with very low delay.
For example, the Soundcore VRP10 dongle gave 120ms delay in gaming and only 17ms delay in videos. That’s 100ms better than many gaming earbuds today!
But sadly, most phones don’t support LE Audio yet. Only Samsung and Pixel phones support it properly. Many earbuds do support it, but you have to manually enable it in the app, which most people don’t do. So, this amazing LC3 codec isn’t being used much.
But now, with Bluetooth 6.0, things are getting better.
5 New Bluetooth 6.0 Features That Will Improve Audio
Let’s go through them one by one:
1. ISO (Isocchronous Adaptation Layer)
This is a fancy name, but the idea is simple:
Bluetooth 6.0 can now break audio data into smaller parts and send them through different paths, faster and more reliably—even when the airwaves are busy.
What it means for you:
- Lower delay in sound
- More stable connection during gaming or streaming
This is a big deal for gamers and people who watch a lot of videos on wireless earbuds.
2. Channel Sounding (Find Your Earbuds Easily)
This is a tracking feature. It helps you find your lost earbuds or devices without needing extra hardware like Apple’s AirTag.
Before, we had basic tracking using signal strength. Then Bluetooth 5.1 added direction tracking. Now, Bluetooth 6.0 adds accurate distance tracking using advanced methods almost like radar.
What it means for you:
- Easier to find lost earbuds, remotes, or accessories
- Works like a smart tracker, without extra cost
- Also useful for unlocking doors or cars using Bluetooth safely
This can be very useful in countries like Pakistan or Indonesia, where Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is not allowed or supported.
3. DBAF (Faster & Smarter Connections)
Ever gone to a café or shop and seen too many Bluetooth devices around you when trying to pair your earbuds?
Bluetooth 6.0 solves this with DBAF – Decision-Based Advertising Filtering. It separates Bluetooth signals into two types (primary and secondary), so your phone can find your earbuds quicker and with less confusion.
What it means for you:
- Faster pairing
- Less battery usage
- Better switching between multiple devices
This is great for crowded places and will also make multi-device connections smoother.
4. Monitoring Advertisers (Saves Battery)
In the past, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) didn’t know if a device was still nearby or out of range. So it kept scanning and wasted energy.
Now with Bluetooth 6.0, your earbuds can sense if your phone is nearby or not and save power when it’s not needed.
What it means for you:
- Longer battery life (even if it’s a small improvement)
- Smarter connection handling
This isn’t a major change for daily use, but every little improvement helps, especially for small devices.
5. LC3 Plus Codec (High-Quality + Low Delay Audio)
This is an upgraded version of LC3 codec. It supports high-res audio up to 96kHz and 32-bit, with very low delay (as low as 7ms).
What it means for you:
- Amazing audio quality
- Very low delay, perfect for gaming or watching videos
- Almost real-time sound, which is great even for musicians!
But keep in mind, LC3 Plus is a licensed codec, so it’s not free. You’ll see it more in dongles and high-end brands like JBL, HyperX, Sony, and Anker for now.
Final Thoughts
Bluetooth 6.0 brings exciting new features. Here’s a quick recap:
Better for gaming and streaming
Easier to find your devices
Faster pairing and connections
Slightly better battery efficiency
Better sound quality with less delay
Some phones and earbuds like Moonrop Pill, Poco X7 Pro, and those using Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 already support Bluetooth 6.0. But most brands are still stuck on Bluetooth 5.4.
Have You Tried LE Audio Yet?
That’s it for now! What feature are you most excited about in Bluetooth 6.0? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Bluetooth 6.0?
Bluetooth 6.0 is the latest version of Bluetooth that brings better speed, stronger connections, and lower delay especially helpful for wireless earbuds and headphones.
2. Will my old earbuds work with Bluetooth 6.0?
Your old earbuds will still work, but to enjoy the new features like low-latency and better audio, both your phone and earbuds must support Bluetooth 6.0.
3. What is LE Audio and LC3 codec?
LE Audio is a new Bluetooth feature that saves battery and gives better sound quality. LC3 is the new audio codec that gives clearer sound with less delay than the old SBC codec.
4. Can Bluetooth 6.0 help me find lost earbuds?
Yes! Bluetooth 6.0 has a new feature called Channel Sounding that helps locate lost earbuds more accurately without any extra device like a tracker.
5. Is Bluetooth 6.0 good for gaming?
Absolutely! With features like ISO layer and LC3 Plus codec, you can get super low-latency audio, which is great for gaming and watching videos without lag.
