Electronics
Bluetooth Audio Codecs Explained: SBC, AAC, aptX and LDAC
Which Bluetooth codec gives the best sound on your phone, and why the codec matters less than you think.
· 3 min read
Key takeaways
- The codec is limited by the weaker device in the pair.
- AAC is the best choice on iPhone.
- LDAC needs a supported Android phone to make a difference.
What a codec does
Bluetooth cannot carry uncompressed CD audio reliably, so music is compressed before it is sent. The codec is the method used to compress and decompress it.
Both the phone and the headphones must support a codec for it to be used, otherwise they fall back to SBC.
Which codec your phone uses
iPhones use AAC. Most Android phones support AAC and SBC, and many add LDAC or aptX variants. Check your phone's developer settings to see which codec is active.
Does it matter?
For streaming services at normal quality, fit and noise cancelling matter more than the codec. For hi-res files on Android, LDAC is a real upgrade.
Pro tip: Turn on 'prefer quality' for LDAC only when you are close to the phone — it reduces range.
Frequently asked questions
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