Bluetooth codecs - Qualcomm

[SoNic67]

I had various Bluetooth headphones and I have found out that the sound quality varies a lot with the codec that is actually used by those headphones.
On Android 8 and above the list of system codecs can be seen by enabling Developer Options in the system, and scrolling trough those new options.

SBC is the basic codec (lowest quality), AAC is slightly better (used by Apple), apt X is a definite step-up in quality.
But to have a truly quality sound, either the aptX HD is needed or Sony's LDAC (only on Sony headphones/soundbars). I saw also, on my Galaxy S7 Edge, a Samsung HD codec (can be used only with some Samsung headphones/soundbars, like my Level U headphones).
Well, on my previous Galaxy S9 and and now on my Galaxy S10 (both unlocked devices) I could not find aptX HD or even the Samsung HD codec that is present in my old Galaxy S7 Edge.
Anyone has an idea why are those codecs missing in S10 and if/when will they be enabled?


This is what I have now:

Sadly, my old moto G4 Plus, on Android 8.1 has AptX HD available (since 2018):

And this what can be seen on Galaxy S7 Edge:

 

[Pierre118]

I had various Bluetooth headphones and I have found out that the sound quality varies a lot with the codec that is actually used by those headphones.
On Android 8 and above the list of system codecs can be seen by enabling Developer Options in the system, and scrolling trough those new options.

SBC is the basic codec (lowest quality), AAC is slightly better (used by Apple), apt X is a definite step-up in quality.
But to have a truly quality sound, either the aptX HD is needed or Sony's LDAC (only on Sony headphones/soundbars). I saw also, on my Galaxy S7 Edge, a Samsung HD codec (can be used only with some Samsung headphones/soundbars, like my Level U headphones).
Well, on my previous Galaxy S9 and and now on my Galaxy S10 (both unlocked devices) I could not find aptX HD or even the Samsung HD codec that is present in my old Galaxy S7 Edge.
Anyone has an idea why are those codecs missing in S10 and if/when will they be enabled?

AptX HD and Samsung is a no-go, i'm afraid.

'Our developer has got back to us on this one today. It would appear aptX HD isn't quite as "robust" as they'd like, as it needs to send a lot of packets to the Bluetooth device - which could cause audio chopping whilst streaming stuff.

Their plan is use aptX Adaptive instead, a Qualcomm codec which combines support for high quality along with the required "robustness" - although they'll consider supporting aptX HD too if it proves to be able to cope with the required demands.'

 

[SoNic67]

aptX-HD (also known as aptX Lossless) has a maximum bit-rate of 576 kbit/s (48kHz/24bit). A standard PCM 1.4-Mbit stream (44.kHz/16bit) is converted into only 352 Kbit/sec aptX HD stream.
In my tests with the LDAC, it works fine with the 660/606kbps, and it starts to be choppy at 990/909kbps. So I would assume that aptX HD would be fine to play.

Of course the LDAC is superior codec in this case, but that limits me only to Sony headphones/soundbars.

 

[charlescc2]

AptX HD and Samsung is a no-go, i'm afraid.

'Our developer has got back to us on this one today. It would appear aptX HD isn't quite as "robust" as they'd like, as it needs to send a lot of packets to the Bluetooth device - which could cause audio chopping whilst streaming stuff.

Their plan is use aptX Adaptive instead, a Qualcomm codec which combines support for high quality along with the required "robustness" - although they'll consider supporting aptX HD too if it proves to be able to cope with the required demands.'

Was the implication that aptX Adaptive is a codec they plan to implement in future device releases, or is this something that can be patched into current handsets such as the Galaxy S10?

 

[techhahn]

With my aptX headphones connected, my Galaxy s10e(Exynos) uses SBC codec. If I manually select aptX than again it switches back to SBC.

 

[sebixy]

on my s10+ it sais the maximum bt data transfer rate is 990kbps but the maximal bt audio quality is 96khz and 32bit which should be like 3.somthing mBps which is the maximal value of the teoretical bt tranfer the phone is capable of, don't know why this huge difference originates

 

[mac_angel]

just wanted to add a bit of info. You mentioned LDAC being the best, and I agree. It is a Sony codec, but there are other devices that use the profile. I have the EarStudio ES100. It lets you use any set of headphones you like, supports High Res audio, has a great upsampler and software, and supports LDAC. I have the Samsung s9 myself, and looking at getting the S10 as well. I've been trying to find info to see what Bluetooth codecs it supports. I have been chatting with Samsung for an hour and they can't tell me and don't even know how to find it. I'm literally shaking my head at their stupidity at not just grabbing an S10 and opening up the developer options like you did.

This all started because I'm trying to find a new set of in ear bluetooth headphones for my fiance. She's not an audiophile like myself, so not looking for anything expensive, she just uses them to work out. But I don't want to buy anything crappy either. But no one lists bluetooth profiles any more. Not the phone manufacturers, nor the headphone manufacturers.