Audio
What are Bluetooth codecs and which sounds best?
A Bluetooth codec is the method your phone uses to compress audio before sending it to wireless earbuds or speakers. The most common are SBC (the baseline), AAC, aptX, and LDAC. The codec affects quality, latency, and stability, and it only works if both the phone and the headphones support it.
The main ones
SBC is mandatory on every Bluetooth audio device: it always works, with acceptable quality. AAC is what iPhones use and performs well on Apple devices.
aptX (from Qualcomm) and its variants (aptX HD, aptX Adaptive) are common on Android phones. LDAC (from Sony) supports more data per second, up to 990 kbps, but needs a strong signal to stay stable.
Why both ends matter
If your earbuds support LDAC but your phone does not, the connection falls back to a codec both share, usually AAC or SBC. iPhones do not support aptX or LDAC.
More data is not always a better experience: in places with lots of interference, a lighter codec drops out less. On Android you can see the active codec in developer options.
What to check before you buy
- With an iPhone, choose earbuds with good AAC performance; aptX and LDAC will not be used.
- With Android, check which codecs your phone supports before paying extra for LDAC or aptX.
- For games and video, look for low-latency codecs or modes.
Frequently asked questions
It can carry more information, but the difference depends on the headphones, the recording, and the signal. With basic gear or a shaky connection, many people cannot hear it.