Buzz
The newest iteration of Bluetooth 5.0 has been unveiled, boasting improved speed, enhanced power efficiency, extended coverage, and superior connectivity. So, what sets Bluetooth 5.0 apart when integrated into phones and laptops? Let's delve into the details in the following article.
1. Bluetooth 5 achieves double the speed
The connectivity of Bluetooth 5.0 is twice as robust, with work productivity increasing by a staggering 800% compared to the previous 4.0 generation. Specifically, Bluetooth 4.0 had a maximum speed of 25 Mbps, while Bluetooth 5 doubles this speed to 50 Mbps, providing users with a more seamless experience.
Comparatively, Bluetooth 5 speed may not match the likes of Wi-Fi, which reaches up to 450 Mbps, USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps, USB 3.0 at 5 Gbps, etc. However, it's important to remember that Bluetooth is designed for transmitting lightweight signals and connecting devices in the simplest way possible. A speed of 50 Mbps is considered stable for data transmission between devices in close proximity.
2. Bluetooth 5.0 Saves Power 2.5 Times More Than the Previous Generation
Indeed, the early generations of Bluetooth often impacted battery life. However, starting from Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth devices have seen significant improvements in battery life. Additionally, there is a power-saving connection mode called Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth Smart), designed for devices with low battery capacity. This feature has been present in devices manufactured within the last 2 years.
Bluetooth 5.0 brings absolute power efficiency by reducing power consumption up to 2.5 times compared to the Bluetooth 4.2 generation. This is partly due to Bluetooth Smart technology and partly because Bluetooth 5.0 integrates the LE (Low Energy) standard, ensuring minimal energy consumption when idle or connecting to other wireless devices.
3. Bluetooth 5.0 extends coverage by 4 times
The most notable improvement of Bluetooth 5.0 is the fourfold increase in coverage compared to the Bluetooth 4.0 generation. Now, when connecting, you don't need devices to be close together as in the past. Since Bluetooth 4, you could transmit data up to a distance of 75m in an obstacle-free environment; this figure has increased to 300m on Bluetooth 5, equivalent to Wi-Fi, isn't it impressive?
These distances are concluded in ideal conditions by the manufacturer. In reality, Bluetooth 4.2 is most stable at distances of 10m to 15m, while Bluetooth 5.0 is most effective at distances of 40m to 60m. This is still a considerable improvement for a wireless connection designed for short-range data transmission.
4. Bluetooth 5.0 will have larger data packet capacity
Firstly, increasing the data packet capacity means enhancing the data allowed to be sent and received between two devices, even when they are not connected (Advertising Packet). This technology is widely recognized as a feature, such as iBeacon (indoor positioning system), Apple AirDrop, and HandOff for Apple devices to communicate with each other. Wireless keyboards and mice like the Magic Mouse can display their names even when not connected to a MacBook, thanks to Advertising Packets.
On Bluetooth 4.2, the size limit for this data packet is 47 bytes, while on Bluetooth 5.0, the Advertising Packet can have a capacity of up to 255 bytes. This means that the data each Bluetooth packet can transmit will be more than 5 times that of the previous generation.
5. Connecting multiple devices simultaneously
In previous generations, Bluetooth had a significant limitation, allowing only one device to be connected at a time. This greatly impacted user experience, especially in enjoying high-quality music.
Now you can connect 2 headphones or 2 external speakers to your device and stream audio directly to them simultaneously through Bluetooth 5.0. Additionally, users can transfer data back and forth simultaneously with multiple different devices through Bluetooth 5.0.
6. Bluetooth 5.0 requires new hardware
While most devices currently on the market are equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 or lower, to fully leverage the features of Bluetooth 5.0, you need a device with a new Bluetooth chip. On the other hand, the device you exchange data with must also use Bluetooth 5.0 to achieve maximum speed.
Speaking of compatibility, Bluetooth 5.0 is backward compatible. This means Bluetooth 5 devices can still communicate and use the features of version 4.2, and vice versa. However, the advancements in speed, connecting multiple devices, coverage, power efficiency, etc., can only reach the maximum level supported by the Bluetooth 4.2 standard.
7. Bluetooth 5.1 Technology on Laptops
What is Bluetooth 5.1 Technology?
Bluetooth 5.1 is considered the latest version of Bluetooth technology, with many features and improvements in performance compared to its predecessors, such as faster speed, wider range, enhanced communication capabilities, and lower latency feedback between devices.
Applications of Bluetooth 5.1
The advent of Bluetooth 5.1 technology facilitates faster data exchange between devices, enabling laptops to send files to each other or to other devices with larger and quicker data loads than ever before. Moreover the connection range expands to over 10 meters.
Apple is a pioneer in implementing Bluetooth technology for data transfer between devices such as iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch through Airdrop.
Devices using Bluetooth 5.1
Bluetooth 5.1 is widespread on various devices, but it is most commonly found in laptops and phones. As these are the two device categories that require Bluetooth 5.1 for transmitting information the most, especially in connecting peripherals like wireless Bluetooth headphones.
8. Bluetooth 5.2 Technology
What is Bluetooth 5.2 Standard?
The Bluetooth 5.2 standard is a technology supporting close-range wireless data exchange between smart devices such as phones, laptops, speakers,... introduced by Bluetooth SIG (an organization overseeing, licensing Bluetooth standards on devices) on January 6, 2020, at CES 2020 (Consumer Electronics Show).
In this standard, a large amount of information will be transmitted with low bandwidth and power through codec LC3 (a standard using low-energy technology - energy-efficient). This leads to more compressed information at the input but maximizes efficiency when decompressed at the output.
Highlights of Bluetooth 5.2
There are various Bluetooth versions, each improved for fast and stable connections. With Bluetooth 5.2 standard, some notable improvements include:
- Enhanced Attribute Protocol EATT (Enhanced Attribute Protocol)
This is a protocol that supports simultaneous, alternating between L2CAP (Layer 2 Connection and Adaptation Protocol) and Maximum ATT Transmission Unit (Attribute-protocol), allowing users to connect Bluetooth from multiple devices to one source, enhancing stability.
- Simultaneous Channels ISOC (Isochronous Channels)
This feature significantly reduces latency for True Wireless earbuds or laptops equipped with the 5.2 standard, ensuring well-synchronized audio quality and enhancing the experience of high-quality movie watching and gaming.
- Power Control LE (LEPC abbreviation for LE Power Control)
LE stands for Low Energy. As the name suggests, LE will transmit data (audio) across devices with low energy, reducing the size of the battery and, consequently, the overall size of the product. This is a crucial requirement for modern laptops today.
