In 2020, Bluetooth 5.2 was introduced with support for the new LE Audio specification. At least two Apple employees are listed as co-developers for LE Audio, and Apple will likely adopt the specifications for use in future devices.
According to a classification recently published in the Bluetooth SIG database, Apple recently had an unknown component with tested Bluetooth 5.3 support. The recording doesn’t reveal any other notable details, but along with a similar file last month, it indicates that Apple is preparing for future devices with Bluetooth versions that support LE Audio.
LE Audio will be especially useful for AirPods, such as the second generation AirPods Pro rumored to be launched later this year. Below, we’ve outlined five benefits LE Audio will bring to the future of AirPods Pro, assuming that source devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac are also upgraded with support for the specification in the future.
- Improve sound quality: LE Audio includes a new low-power audio codec called LC3 that delivers improved audio quality over the classic SBC codec, even at a 50% lower bitrate, according to the Bluetooth SIG.
- Longer battery life: Using the low-power LC3 audio codec, AirPods Pro will have a longer battery life for audio playback.
- Multi stream audio: LE Audio would enable multiple simultaneous audio streams to be transmitted between a source device such as iPhone or Mac and AirPods Pro. This will allow the left and right individual AirPods to each have their own Bluetooth audio connection with a LE Audio-enabled device to improve reliability.
- Connect multiple pairs of AirPods to iPhone at once: LE Audio will allow multiple pairs of AirPods to connect directly to an iPhone, iPad, Mac or other device in the future and play audio simultaneously. Apple already has a feature that allows an iPhone or iPad user with AirPods to share audio with another person using AirPods, but the feature doesn’t work with more than a pair of AirPods.
- No need to switch between iPhone and Mac: LE Audio will allow AirPods to connect to multiple source devices like iPhone and Mac simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch AirPods between devices.
In July, Bluetooth SIG said it expects products with LE Audio support to ramp up by the end of 2022.
Related stories
Don’t buy AirPods Pro now: AirPods Pro 2 is coming
AirPods Pro launched over 1,000 days ago and is the oldest current generation Apple device still on sale. With a new model about to be announced by Apple, customers must now stop buying AirPods Pro until the new model arrives. Apple announced AirPods Pro on Monday, October 28, 2019. The earphones went on sale immediately and orders started arriving…
AirPods Pro 2 can surpass AirPods Max sound quality
Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro can deliver higher-fidelity audio compared to over-ear AirPods Max headphones, despite being relatively small in-ear headphones, according to recent reports. In a recent note to investors, seen by MacRumors, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that the second-generation AirPods Pro will offer improved sound quality thanks to support for …
AirPods Pro 2: Five new features and improvements to expect
Apple’s second generation AirPods Pro is finally nearing its launch, and it’s expected to launch later this year. If you’re considering upgrading to the new AirPods Pro as soon as they’re released, keep reading for a list of five new features to expect. In addition to completely new features, the second generation AirPods Pro will likely adopt some of the features added to last year’s standard AirPods. H2 chip…
AirPods Pro 2 said to feature upgraded H1 chip, Find My, heart rate detection, USB-C and more
The next generation of AirPods Pro could come with a long list of new features that include heart rate detection, the ability to act as a hearing aid, and a USB-C port according to a report from 52Audio. The site claims to have received new information about the AirPods Pro 2, and has used that information to provide some images of what the earbuds might look like. Design wise, there is…
Deals: Get AirPods for $99.99 and AirPods Pro for $179.99 on Amazon (up to $69 off)
Today we’re tracking a pair of discounts on AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, both deals available and ready to ship from Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an Amazon affiliate partner. When you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the Site running. AirPods 2 Starting with AirPods 2, you can get the headphones for $99.99, starting at…
AirPods Pro 2 charging case with three new features appearing in leaked renders
A new charging case for second-generation AirPods Pro could have slots for speakers, a microphone, and a slot for a lanyard attachment, according to a CAD rendering of the case that AppleInsider’s Andrew O’Hara shared on Twitter. The alleged CAD of the AirPods Pro 2 charging case shared by Andrew O’Hara O’Hara said he couldn’t verify the accuracy of the renders, but they’re lining up…
AirPods Pro 2 will be launched later this year as suppliers are said to be preparing shipments
The second generation of AirPods Pro is widely expected to be launched in the second half of this year. In preparation for the launch, Apple suppliers are gearing up for shipments of new high-end AirPods, according to a new report from DigiTimes. The second generation AirPods Pro are widely expected to feature a new design, improved audio, and the ability to play Apple Music losslessly…
popular stories
The large pill-shaped chapter of the iPhone 14 Pro will display camera and microphone privacy indicators
The larger pill-shaped pieces planned for the iPhone 14 Pro models will display privacy indicators for the microphone and camera, according to a source who shared the details on the MacRumors forums. Apple plans to replace the notch on iPhone 14 Pro models with two separate pill-shaped cutouts and a punch-hole that will house the TrueDepth camera system hardware …
iPhone 14 Pro always-on display behavior was revealed in iOS 16 days before it was revealed
The iPhone 14 Pro will introduce unique behavior on the lock screen and important changes to the status bar thanks to the always-on display, according to a source who spoke to MacRumors. The source behind the latest wave of information was responsible for a bomb leak earlier this week that claimed that the iPhone 14 Pro’s screen cutouts will appear to contain a single “grain” that is uniform in…
Major retailer preparing to launch iPad Pro 2022 models
MacRumors has found that at least one major retailer is preparing to release 2022 iPad Pro models by adding the device to its systems. Apple’s current 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were launched in April 2021, making them the longest-running iPad Pro models to date. Updated iPad Pro models have been rumored for some time, and now, Australian carrier Optus has added a 2022 iPad Pro…