Following are the essential features of the various Bluetooth versions.
Bluetooth 5.3 (2021)
An incremental upgrade, Version 5.3 adds more stability, security and efficiency. Peripherals can list preferred channels with a central device. Previously, only the central device could set channels.
Bluetooth 5.2 (2020)
LE power control (LEPC) provides adjustable power that can be requested by peer devices. The enhanced attribute protocol (EATT) enables parallel operations between LE clients and servers.
Bluetooth 5.1 (2019)
More antennas provide greater tracking accuracy, and generic attribute (GATT) profile caching makes pairing quicker by retraining requirements.
Bluetooth 5 (2016)
A more robust version with extended battery life, BT 5 increased the outdoor transmission range from 50 to 200 meters. Location services are enhanced because it can convey more information prior to establishing a connection. The first smartphones to support BT 5 were the Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 and X.
Bluetooth 4.2 (2014)
Designed for the Internet of Things (IoT), BT 4.2 increased the payload size in the Bluetooth packet by 10x, dramatically lowering the overhead to yield 2.5 times more data. The low-power wireless personal area network (WPAN) version of IPv6 (6LoWPAN) is supported, which enables billions of devices to have a unique IP address. It also supports beacon privacy, which prevents retail shops from sensing a user's presence (see iBeacon). See 6LoWPAN, IoT.
Bluetooth 4.1 (2013)
More efficient data exchange and better co-existence with LTE frequencies. BT 4.1 maintains connections with less manual intervention, and devices can be both client and hub at the same time, enabling Bluetooth devices to communicate with each other. Prior to BT 4.1, devices transmitted to a hub either built into the computer or in a stand-alone dongle.
Bluetooth 4 (2010)
Introduced low-power Bluetooth Low Energy, branded as "Bluetooth Smart." See Bluetooth LE.
Bluetooth 3 + HS (2009)
Branded as Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (High Speed), it started the connection via Bluetooth but transmitted data over Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth 2.1 (2007)
Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) was added to make pairing faster and more secure. Encryption was made mandatory, security was improved, and less power was used.
Bluetooth 2 (2004)
Branded as Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), three bit encoding (versus one) increased the data rate from 1 to 3 Mbps (in practice 2.1 Mbps). Interference handling was improved, and less power was used.
Bluetooth 1.2 (2003)
BT 1.2 (Basic Data Rate) was the first widely used Bluetooth technology. Adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) helped avoid interference with Wi-Fi and other technologies in the same frequency. Pairing speed was improved.
Bluetooth 1.1 (2001)
Improvements to reliability and interoperability; mostly backward compatible but not 100%.
Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B (1999)
The first Bluetooth specs. There were deployment issues that kept BT from gaining ground quickly.
DATA RATES Max. Data Version Rate 5.0 3 Mbps (best range) 4.2 + BLE 3 Mbps (IoT) 4.1 3 Mbps 4.0 + BLE 3 Mbps (low energy) 3.0 + HS 24 Mbps (Wi-Fi) "Bluetooth Classic" 2.1 + EDR 3 Mbps 2.0 + EDR 3 Mbps 1.2 0.7 Mbps 1.0 0.7 Mbps POWER CLASSES Max. Approx. Power Range Class (mW) (meters) 1 100 100 2 2.5 10 3 1 1
FAQs
The primary distinction between Bluetooth versions is that the most modern Bluetooth versions offer a quick data transfer rate. They have a greater connection range and reliability than prior Bluetooth versions, are more energy-efficient, and provide better security.
What does Bluetooth version mean? ›
When we talk about each iteration of Bluetooth, three factors help distinguish between the different versions: range, data speed and power consumption. These factors are determined by the modulation scheme and data packet being used.
What is the difference between 2.4 and 5.0 Bluetooth? ›
Wireless connections to the 5 GHz and now 6 GHz bands will offer faster speeds and more-responsive experiences for work and play compared to the legacy 2.4 GHz band, which offers longer range at lower speeds. Our day-to-day lives increasingly depend on wireless connectivity for education, work, and play.
Which Bluetooth version is best? ›
Improved Attribute Protocol (ATT): Bluetooth 5.3 optimizes data transmission processes to enhance responsiveness and efficiency. These features collectively contribute to a more robust, power-efficient, and user-friendly Bluetooth experience compared to Bluetooth 5.0.
How do I know which version of Bluetooth I have? ›
Right-click (or long-press) on the Bluetooth radio listing (yours might simply be listed as a wireless device) and then select Properties. Select the Advanced tab, then look for the LMP (Link Manager Protocol) listing in the Firmware or Firmware version area.
What is the difference between 4.1 and 4.2 Bluetooth? ›
Bluetooth 4.1 supports up to 23 bytes of single packet data transmission, and Bluetooth 4.2 supports up to 255 bytes of single packet data transmission, which greatly improves the data transmission rate.
When did Bluetooth 5.3 come out? ›
Released in July 2021,Bluetooth 5.3 was officially welcomed in May 2022, making great improvements in terms of transmission efficiency, security and stability: Periodic Advertising Enhancement. Encryption Key Size Control Enhancements.
Is 5.0 or 5.2 Bluetooth better? ›
While Bluetooth 5 allowed streaming audio to two separate devices, version 5.2 allows one-to-many and many-to-one broadcast. This enables multiple Bluetooth audio devices to play audio from a single source, while also allowing multiple sources to simultaneously serve several audio streams to a single receiver.
Is Bluetooth 5.4 worth it? ›
Bluetooth 5.4, the upgraded wireless technology, offers longer battery life, wider range, stronger connections, enhanced smart home and IoT capabilities, and improved audio quality. Devices supporting Bluetooth 5.4 will hit the market in the coming months and years, with more expected by 2024.
What's the highest quality Bluetooth? ›
LDAC: Sony's LDAC offers the potential for the best possible Bluetooth sound quality. It runs at 330, 660, or 990 kbps; your phone may let you prioritize sound quality (990 kbps) or connection reliability (330 kbps). LDAC is available on many Android phones, but not in Apple devices.
Bluetooth 5 is faster than Bluetooth 4 with the format having 2Mbps, twice the speed of Bluetooth 4 about 1 Mbps making the Bluetooth 5 able to meet one of IoT requirements. This is thanks to the 5Mbps bandwidth of the Bluetooth 5 in comparison to 2.1 Mbps of the Bluetooth 4.
Does phone Bluetooth version matter? ›
3 Why does Bluetooth version matter? It is important to pay attention to the Bluetooth version of your device, as it can affect performance, compatibility, and security. A higher Bluetooth version can provide faster data transfer speed, longer range, increased bandwidth, and improved power efficiency.
Is Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.2 better? ›
While Bluetooth 5 allowed streaming audio to two separate devices, version 5.2 allows one-to-many and many-to-one broadcast. This enables multiple Bluetooth audio devices to play audio from a single source, while also allowing multiple sources to simultaneously serve several audio streams to a single receiver.
Can Bluetooth 5.2 connect to a 5.0 phone? ›
Yes, a phone with Bluetooth 5.0 can generally connect to Bluetooth 5.2 earbuds. Bluetooth technology is designed to maintain backward compatibility, which means that devices with older Bluetooth versions can typically connect to devices with newer Bluetooth versions.
Is Bluetooth 3.0 or 5.0 better? ›
Bluetooth 5.0 is the fastest iteration. It processes connections at 2 times the speed over 4 times the range handling over 8 times the amount of data. This means the higher the speed the more responsive high-performance devices will be. The Increased broadcast message size also means more data can be transmitted.
Can I update my Bluetooth version? ›
Unfortunately, you cannot update Bluetooth version on your Android phone and you cannot connect two devices through Bluetooth at a same time. Bluetooth versions are installed by the manufacturer on Android device. So, you cannot update it anyhow on your Android phone. Hope this helps.
