Bluetooth 5.3 is rapidly becoming the standard for new devices. But do you really need to upgrade your hardware to keep up with the latest Bluetooth standards?
The Bluetooth version of a device determines data transfer speed, power consumption, and connection stability. However, with so many Bluetooth versions currently available, determining whether you are using the best version is not easy at all.
What is Bluetooth 5.3?
Bluetooth 5.3 was released in 2021 and introduced several improvements for consumers and developers.
The biggest improvement in this version is connection classification. Typically, devices operate using low-power periodic connections to save energy. However, when high bandwidth is required, connection parameters change almost instantly; otherwise, there would be latency.
Connection classification helps the transition between low-power and high-power modes happen faster, eliminating latency and providing a better user experience. For example, audio from headphones using connection classification will have less latency compared to headphones without it, especially if the headphones are not near the host device.
Bluetooth 5.3 also improves Bluetooth BR/EDR, the controller responsible for negotiating encryption key sizes during the Bluetooth connection setup process. This change allows the host device to determine the minimum acceptable key size, providing better control and flexibility during the encryption process. This allows the host to determine the level of security it requires based on the sensitivity of the exchanged data or compliance with security standards.
Two other notable features of the Bluetooth 5.3 update include channel classification and improvements to the periodic advertising process.
Channel classification allows Bluetooth peripheral devices to communicate with the central device based on the actual radio frequency conditions of the peripherals, thereby avoiding interference and enhancing reliability.
Improvements to the periodic advertising process help simplify how devices share information. Typically, Bluetooth devices continuously send the same data to ensure data is transmitted reliably. Now, devices using Bluetooth 5.3 can check for duplicates and skip unnecessary repetitions, saving energy and potentially extending the device’s battery life.
Bluetooth 5 Versions
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2016 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Data Transfer | 2Mbps | No significant improvement | No significant improvement | No significant improvement |
| Communication Range | 120 feet outdoor range | Improved indoor positioning accuracy up to 1cm. | No significant improvement | No significant improvement |
| New Features | 255 byte message capacity | Enhanced Bluetooth LE Audio | EATT – more efficient data transfer, LC3 codec to improve audio quality, and CTKD to enhance security | Channel classification to reduce frequency interference and improved periodic advertising for better network efficiency |
Bluetooth 5.3 brings a range of new features, but let’s see how it differs from previous Bluetooth 5 versions.
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0 was launched in 2016 and was a major improvement over Bluetooth 4.2. It has a message capacity of 255 bytes, which is 8 times larger than the 31 bytes of Bluetooth 4.2. This helps double the data transfer speed and quadruple the communication range while maintaining low power consumption.
Data transfer speed was also increased from 1Mbps to 2Mbps, with a range of up to 120 feet in indoor environments, and devices using Bluetooth 5 can stay active much longer than older devices.
Bluetooth 5.1
The Bluetooth 5.1 upgrade was released in January 2019, allowing the location of connected devices at short distances and determining where a signal originates. The enhancement of location-based services has improved navigation and tracking capabilities in indoor environments.
Other updates include Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) caching, which changed how devices handle repetitive data transmission, reducing power consumption, enhancing notification capabilities, and improving coexistence with other wireless technologies. Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio was also improved for better audio quality and synchronization.
Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth 5.2, launched in early 2020, focused on improving audio quality.
Bluetooth Low Energy Power Control was introduced to optimize power consumption in low-energy devices. It also introduced the Low Complexity Communication Codec (LC3), providing higher audio quality and enhancing the music and gaming experience. Together, these two components support Bluetooth Auracast, allowing simultaneous audio broadcasting from a single device.
Bluetooth 5.2 also introduced Enhanced Attribute Protocol (EATT). Previously, Bluetooth devices exchanged attribute data inefficiently when transmitting information about their status and capabilities. EATT streamlines this data exchange process, making it more direct, resource-efficient, and optimizing communication channels.
Bluetooth 5.2 also introduced Cross-Transport Key Derivation, a protocol that simplifies encryption key management across multi-transport devices, thereby enhancing security.
What is Bluetooth 5.4?
Bluetooth 5.4 is the latest version, officially released in early 2023. It includes several updates that help improve Bluetooth functionality by allowing secure, two-way communication between low-power consumption devices. These features include:
- Periodic Advertising with Responses (PAwR). Data is transmitted in small packets sent during sub-events that can be synchronized and responded to by the observer. This allows the observer to scan data only at specific times, thereby saving energy.
- Encrypted advertising data. A standard method for encrypting advertising data, allowing partial or full encryption of the shared data. This means any Bluetooth-enabled device can receive advertising data from the host, but only devices with the decryption key (authorized devices) can access the encrypted data.
- Low Energy GATT security level features. It allows devices to communicate the security levels required to access specific attributes before attempting to access them. If a device does not meet the security level, the client will prompt them to upgrade the device and gain access. This system prevents interruptions during application transitions, providing a smoother and more secure experience.
- Advertising encryption selection. Allows the host device to determine the encryption system to be used when transmitting advertising data to the controller. This improvement provides more control over the balance between data speed and range, allowing performance to be optimized based on specific communication needs.
All these advancements are particularly useful for large-scale use cases, such as retail Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) applications, where countless devices are connected and synchronized, but they will also be suitable for consumer technology products like headphones and earbuds.
