Apple Seemingly Preparing for Devices With Bluetooth 5.2, Which Could Hint at AirPods Pro With LE Audio

[MacRumors]

Apple appears to be preparing for future devices with Bluetooth 5.2 support, according to a filing in the Bluetooth SIG products database earlier this month. Among other possibilities, this could serve as evidence of future AirPods Pro with LE Audio support.

Apple's filing references a Bluetooth 5.3 host subsystem that is likely intended for future products. However, in actuality, the filing likely refers to Bluetooth 5.2, as the Bluetooth versions listed in Apple's filings in the database are often one version number higher than the version that ends up being supported on a device, for reasons unclear.

For example, the Beats Studio Buds are listed with Bluetooth 5.3 when they actually support Bluetooth 5.2, according to reviews of the headphones, while many iPhone and iPad models are listed with Bluetooth 5.1 despite supporting Bluetooth 5.0.

With all of that confusion surrounding version numbers aside, Apple adopting Bluetooth 5.2 would be especially beneficial for AirPods, as the specification includes support for LE Audio with several improvements to wireless audio streaming.

LE Audio is part of the low-energy Bluetooth LE standard. According to The Verge, benefits of LE Audio for wireless headphones like AirPods could include improved audio quality, longer battery life, the ability to connect more than two pairs of AirPods to a single iPhone, and the ability for each individual left and right AirPod to have its own Bluetooth connection to an iPhone to prevent desynchronization during audio playback.

In July, the Bluetooth SIG said it anticipates availability of products with support for LE Audio to ramp up by the end of 2022. Apple is expected to launch second-generation AirPods Pro by the end of the year, but it remains to be seen if they support Bluetooth 5.2 or LE Audio. It also remains to be seen if Apple would add LE Audio support to the Beats Studio Buds with a firmware update given those earbuds already support Bluetooth 5.2.

Article Link: Apple Seemingly Preparing for Devices With Bluetooth 5.2, Which Could Hint at AirPods Pro With LE Audio

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

This makes me even more nervous to get AirPods Max, which I was planning to do.

 

[BWhaler]

Just don’t anchor them with a lightening cable.

 

[tgwaste]

we need < 10ms latency.

 

[Sparxxx]

just give me spatial audio on apple tv for two simultaneous connected airpods!

 

[xyz01]

This makes me even more nervous to get AirPods Max, which I was planning to do.

I'd wait... They're about two years old now.

I've got a pair, and while they're great they don't support lossless audio (launched after the headphones), they need to migrate to usb c, and they need to get better at switching between devices if you've got a lot of them. At times they just get non-responsive and need to be reset since they won't connect to anything.

And they need a better case,

 

[0134168]

This makes me even more nervous to get AirPods Max, which I was planning to do.

DON´T

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Sigh...all I want is the headphone jack back so I can get lossless hifi...

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Hopefully Apple will have courage to remove the ancient lightning port. Or no buy.

 

[bwillwall]

Sigh...all I want is the headphone jack back so I can get lossless hifi...

View attachment 2046827

Then use lightning/usbc?

 

[Salty Pirate]

lossless audio?

 

[JippaLippa]

I don't understand...so they'll release the Airpods Pro with bluetooth 5.2 without an iPhone/mac to support the technology?
I'd be very interested in moving to a wireless semi-lossless setup, but if my new macpro/iphone 14 pro aren't compatilbe, that would be idiotic.

 

[JippaLippa]

This makes me even more nervous to get AirPods Max, which I was planning to do.

Wait for a 2nd gen.
It will be as good but with many improvements, especially connectivity wise.

 

[Danfango]

Sigh...all I want is the headphone jack back so I can get lossless hifi...

View attachment 2046827

You do realise you can buy an adapter for like $10. I use one with my sennheisers when I forget to charge my AirPods

 

[bwillwall]

I don't understand...so they'll release the Airpods Pro with bluetooth 5.2 without an iPhone/mac to support the technology?
I'd be very interested in moving to a wireless semi-lossless setup, but if my new macpro/iphone 14 pro aren't compatilbe, that would be idiotic.

You don't understand that not every device can be updated at the same time? That's kinda just how it works and always has.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

You do realise you can buy an adapter for like $10. I use one with my sennheisers when I forget to charge my AirPods

Then use lightning/usbc?

Yep this is totally convenient on my $1000 phone.

Can't wait for the vanilla iPad to lose it's jack and I gotta start doing this crap with it too.

 

[Danfango]

Yep this is totally convenient on my $1000 phone.

Can't wait for the vanilla iPad to lose it's jack and I gotta start doing this crap with it too.

Buy an android phone then.

 

[jicon]

I'm not really concerned what they are shipping on the airbud side of things, but hopefully there are some considerations of iOS to help prioritize bluetooth stability and give enough bandwidth to all bluetooth devices that may be in play. Maybe that comes in the 5.2 spec, who knows? I've got a medical device that connects via bluetooth every five minutes, but the past three months on latest versions of iOS 15 on an admittedly bit older iPhone 7 is exhibiting poor behavior. Bluetooth connectivity is lost randomly without obvious reason while within a foot of the untouched device. Open settings, and the screen is locked for about a minute before it is possible to shut off bluetooth and reenable so the brief connectivity sessions can be made again.

 

[diego.caraballo]

I don't understand...so they'll release the Airpods Pro with bluetooth 5.2 without an iPhone/mac to support the technology?
I'd be very interested in moving to a wireless semi-lossless setup, but if my new macpro/iphone 14 pro aren't compatilbe, that would be idiotic.

This.
I was disappointed that the M2 Air doesn’t came with Bluetooth 5.2.

 

[coachgq]

The AirPods Pro is a such a great device. I rarely go anywhere without them.

 

[CWallace]

This makes me even more nervous to get AirPods Max, which I was planning to do.

Yes I am waiting for new Air Pods Max before I jump, even with the sales on the current model.

Hopefully Apple will have courage to remove the ancient lightning port. Or no buy.

That will happen by 2023 thanks to the EU, though I would not at all be surprised to see 2022 Air Pods Pro launch with Lightning and then Apple offer a USB-C charging case for $99+ next year for those who do not wait until it becomes the default (which I am considering doing).

Buy an android phone then.

More and more high-end Android phones are also dropping their audio jacks...

 

[elementalwingma]

Give me a reason to spend my money on the next iteration Apple please

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

The AirPods Pro is a such a great device. I rarely go anywhere without them.

Good for you. My pair always kept breaking and having to get replaced to the point I just said **** it and got overear headphones instead.

 

[puckhead193]

September 7th is going to be expensive day for me lol
new phone, watch, AirPods... oh my!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I'd wait... They're about two years old now.

I've got a pair, and while they're great they don't support lossless audio (launched after the headphones), they need to migrate to usb c, and they need to get better at switching between devices if you've got a lot of them. At times they just get non-responsive and need to be reset since they won't connect to anythj.

And they need a better case,

Yeah, problem is that I can get them for $150 off.
The second that second generation Max's come out, that price from all channels reverts to the full price for about six months before sales start to appear.
I don't really care about USB-C, and using the lightning to headphone adapter gets you very close to lossless, close enough that you can't tell the difference.
People don't actually realize this because of Apple's weird wording, but the AirPods Max can *technically* play back 24 bit, 48khz files, which is what most of Apple Music's lossless catalog is.
The reason Apple says its not *true* lossless is because of the digital to analog to digital converting, but even still its about equal to 24/48, much much higher than bluetooth AAC.
Its lossless in everything but name, and it's still higher than any standard CDs, and it'll be better quality than anything bluetooth can give, even in a second generation.
Also, there has been no reliable rumors about a second generation coming any time soon.
There's been rumors about new colors but... that's it.
USB-C most definitely won't happen until at least fall 2023, so... it feels like waiting and waiting and waiting is pointless.
Apple has taken three years to do anything with the AirPods Pros, and the Max's are not even two years old yet.
They only came out about 18 months ago, even though it feels longer.
It might not be until 2024 before they decide to do anything with these.