Bluetooth SIG approves 7.5 Mbps speed for Core 7.0 standard

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has officially approved a major speed upgrade for its wireless standard. The organization announced on Wednesday that Bluetooth High Data Throughput, or HDT, is now a formal optional feature within Bluetooth Core 7.0. This change raises the maximum supported bit rate for Bluetooth LE from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps. That represents an increase of nearly four times the previous limit.

The Bluetooth SIG began previewing this upgrade approximately one year ago. The group stated that the higher speed will enable higher resolution audio streaming while also improving battery life and overall reliability. Wireless audio remains the primary use case for the new capability. The increased bit rate can handle high-resolution audio, spatial audio, and multi-channel surround sound without requiring proprietary wireless formats.

Devices supporting Bluetooth HDT are expected to reach the market in 2027. The benefits of the standard extend beyond headphones. Smartwatches can sync larger amounts of health and fitness data to phones more quickly. Because HDT moves data in less time, the Bluetooth radio stays active for shorter periods, which reduces power consumption.

Spatial computing and extended reality devices may also benefit from the upgrade. These gadgets could deliver more capable experiences without needing a Wi-Fi connection. The group also identified personal AI devices as a potential beneficiary. These devices could transfer data to smartphones for processing more efficiently, allowing the hardware to be built lighter and smaller.

Routine maintenance tasks will also become faster. Firmware updates for smartwatches and smart home accessories will take less time. This change turns a task that users often postpone into one that can be completed immediately.

Neville Meijers, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG, described the update as a new level of performance. He said the feature expands the role of Bluetooth across consumer, commercial, and industrial markets. Meijers added that the standard has continually evolved to meet the growing demands of a connected world.