What’s aptX HD?

Over the previous few years, smartphone producers have facilitated the growth in wireless headphones by eradicating the three.5mm headphone jack, which was a mainstay function on all moveable units. That meant wi-fi know-how needed to get higher, and Qualcomm has been one of many largest names on the forefront of that change.

Utilizing Bluetooth for audio has all the time meant a dip in audio high quality when in comparison with a wired connection. That is as a result of Bluetooth is not nearly as good at transferring excessive quantities of information in a brief period of time. That hasn’t essentially stopped individuals utilizing it — sacrificing good sound high quality for comfort is hardly a brand new factor in any case, particularly for different activities — however there was a push for higher high quality audio from supply to gadget extra lately, and aptX HD is only one a part of that puzzle. Sadly, as a result of limitations of the know-how, Bluetooth won’t ever fairly match up in audio high quality and pace of wired connections, however with developments in know-how, it will get nearer on a regular basis.

aptX HD is a Bluetooth codec that enables for higher high quality audio than different widespread codecs that got here earlier than it. However how does it work and which units assist it? Enable me to elucidate.

aptX HD, defined

Compression strategies and transmission know-how

aptX HD is an evolution of aptX, which you’ll have heard of earlier than. The compression algorithm has been round because the Nineteen Eighties however is now owned by Qualcomm, the producer of the Snapdragon processing chips which are discovered within the majority of Android smartphones.

aptX has assist for ‘CD-like’ 16-bit/44.1kHz high quality with a most bitrate of 352kbps, nevertheless it will get compressed when transmitted over Bluetooth, so you are still shedding audio high quality when in comparison with utilizing wired headphones. The compression is there to assist preserve latency at an absolute minimal when transmitted wirelessly to headphones or a Bluetooth speaker — meaning the time that it takes to get out of your supply gadget to your headphones.

aptX HD helps as much as 24-bit/48kHz audio, with a bitrate of 576kbps at most, making it considerably higher than aptX, however nonetheless removed from lossless. The newer know-how was launched in 2016 to supply greater high quality streaming, and Qualcomm says it affords “better-than-CD” sound high quality and might even improve the sound of normal decision music information. Needless to say, in actuality, it is by no means “higher than CD” high quality, as a result of aptX HD continues to be not lossless, like all different Bluetooth codecs at this time limit. It comes with the territory, however Bluetooth simply is not there but.

aptX HD has additionally been designed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, which means you must have the ability to hear extra element within the songs you hearken to when in comparison with different codecs. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a lossy format, so it is nowhere close to what you’d get with wired listening.

The corporate has tried to take this additional with the likes of aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless (which isn’t really lossless) however, for now, aptX HD stays essentially the most supported codec that Qualcomm affords.

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Which units assist aptX HD?

You want the precise tech to reap the advantages

So as to make the most of the advantages of aptX HD, you may must be sure to have a tool that helps it — each as a supply to play it and a tool to obtain it. These units may have the CSR8675 Bluetooth audio system-on-chip (SoC) because it’s able to supporting 24-bit audio from end-to-end.

On the time of writing, Qualcomm lists some 570 units launched since 2019 that assist the codec, and you may head over to this list on Qualcomm’s web site to see what they’re, starting from smartphones and media gamers to headphones and amps.

Nevertheless, it is value noting that Samsung units at present do not assist the format and neither does Apple, so you may be taking a look at utilizing a special codec if you happen to personal a Galaxy cellphone or iPhone.

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FAQ

Q: Do any iPhones assist aptX HD?

iPhones have not ever supported aptX HD. The one codecs iPhones at present assist are SBC and AAC. It is unlikely that iPhones will ever assist aptX HD, however something might occur.

Q: Is aptX HD lossless?

aptX HD shouldn’t be lossless and does not come shut, regardless of what Qualcomm states about it. Lossless audio shouldn’t be at present potential over Bluetooth due to information switch limitations.

Q: How do I be certain that my cellphone is utilizing the precise codec?

To be sure to’re utilizing aptX HD in your suitable cellphone, or see which codec you are utilizing by default, you may have to enter Android developer settings. To get there, go to Settings > About cellphone > Software program info, after which faucet on the construct quantity seven occasions. Afterward, you may return to the Settings menu, and you will see a Developer choices menu to press on. From there, discover the part known as Bluetooth audio codec and faucet on it, and you will see which codec you are at present utilizing, and which you’ll select from.