iPhone 14 and New AirPods Pro Support Bluetooth 5.3, Status of LE Audio Unclear

All four new iPhone 14 models and the second-generation AirPods Pro include support for Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple’s tech specs for each device, but the status of LE Audio support for the devices remains unclear at this time.

airpods pro 2
LE Audio, which can be supported on any device with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher, is a low-power audio streaming specification that would have several benefits for devices within the Apple ecosystem. Earlier this week, we outlined five benefits that LE Audio could have for AirPods Pro in particular should Apple support the specification:

  • Improved audio quality: LE Audio includes a new low-power audio codec called LC3 that provides improved audio quality compared to the classic SBC codec, even at a 50% lower bit rate, according to the Bluetooth SIG.
  • Longer battery life: With the low-power LC3 audio codec, AirPods Pro would have longer battery life for audio playback.
  • Multi-stream audio: LE Audio would enable the transmission of multiple synchronized audio streams between a source device like an iPhone or Mac and the AirPods Pro. This would allow for an individual left and right AirPod to each have its own Bluetooth audio connection with a device supporting LE Audio for improved reliability.
  • Connect many pairs of AirPods to an iPhone at once: LE Audio would allow for many pairs of AirPods to simultaneously connect to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher. Apple already has a feature that allows an iPhone or iPad user with AirPods to share audio with another person with AirPods, but the feature does not work with more than two pairs of AirPods.
  • No switching between iPhone and Mac required: LE Audio would allow AirPods to connect to multiple source devices like an iPhone and Mac simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch the AirPods between devices.

Apple’s press releases and tech specs pages for the iPhone 14 and new AirPods Pro do not appear to make any mention of LE Audio or the benefits listed above, leading us to believe that LE Audio might not be supported on the devices currently, but we’ve reached out to Apple for confirmation. In July, the organization behind Bluetooth said it anticipated availability of products with support for LE Audio to ramp up by the end of 2022.

Given that iPhone 14 models and the new AirPods Pro have Bluetooth 5.3 chipsets, it is possible that Apple could enable LE Audio with a software/firmware update in the future should the devices not currently support the specification.

Popular Stories

Once-Rumored iPhone 14 Features We Aren’t Expecting Anymore

After over a year of reports about the iPhone 14 lineup, several once-believed rumors are no longer expected to come true when the devices are unveiled this week. The iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature the A16 Bionic chip, an always-on display, “pill and hole-punch” cutouts that appear to be a single “pill” in place of the notch, a taller display with thinner bezels, and a 48-megap…

Apple Unveils iPhone 14 Pro With Dynamic Island, Always-On Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Apple today announced the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, featuring the “Dynamic Island” to surface alerts and activity in a new way, a brighter display with always-on functionality, the A16 Bionic chip, a more advanced camera system, new color options, and more.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer the “Dynamic Island” thanks to a redesigned TrueDepth camera array that takes…

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone 14, Apple Watch, AirPods Pro, and More Expected

Apple’s “Far Out” event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we’re expecting to see the iPhone 14 lineup, several new Apple Watch models, updated AirPods Pro, and perhaps some other announcements.
Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company’s TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating this article with live blog coverage…

Here’s a First Look at iPhone 14 Pro’s New Dynamic Island Notch

Apple today introduced the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max with a new pill-shaped notch called the “Dynamic Island,” which Apple says provides “a rich and delightful new way to interact with activities, alerts, and notifications” on the devices.
With a combination of hardware and software, the Dynamic Island can morph into different shapes and sizes for things such as incoming phone…

Apple Unveils Apple Watch Ultra With Large-Screen Design for Athletes and Explorers

Apple at its “Far Out” media event today announced the Apple Watch Ultra, a new feature-rich smartwatch for athletes and explorers, coming with an all-new design, a large flat sapphire crystal display, an additional programmable Action button, and cellular as standard.
The 49mm titanium case has the brightest Apple Watch display yet at 2,000 nits – two times brighter than previous models …

iPhone 14 Cases Allegedly Leak Ahead of Wednesday’s ‘Far Out’ Event

Monday September 5, 2022 1:47 pm PDT by

New images shared on Twitter allegedly showcase upcoming cases from Apple for the iPhone 14 lineup expected to be announced this Wednesday. The images, shared by Majin Bu, include both leather and silicone case options for all the expected iPhone 14 models. While the photos claim to show official cases from Apple, they’re most likely fake cases that resemble accurate colors. Apple often…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *