Everything You Need to Know About Bluetooth Versions

Bluetooth technology has come a long way since it was first introduced in 1994. From early versions that were slow and had limited range to the latest version with faster speeds and excellent coverage, Bluetooth has become an essential part of our daily lives. Whether you're using it to connect your phone to your car's audio system or transfer files between devices, chances are you've come into contact with Bluetooth technology.

But with so many different versions available, it can take a lot of work to keep track of what's new and different. In this article, we'll explore the different Bluetooth versions and what they offer so that you can choose the right one for your needs.

Bluetooth Version 1.0 and 1.0B

The first version of Bluetooth, released in 1999, was relatively slow and had a limited range of just 10 meters (33 feet). It was primarily used for simple wireless connections between devices, such as connecting a mouse to a computer or a headset to a phone.

An updated version, 1.0B, was released shortly after and offered a few improvements, such as support for non-encrypted data and connecting to multiple devices at once. However, it was still limited in terms of speed and range.

Bluetooth Version 2.0 and 2.0+EDR

Bluetooth 2.0, released in 2004, was a significant upgrade from the first version. It offered faster speeds, a data transfer rate of up to 3Mbps, and a more extended range of up to 30 meters (98 feet). It also introduced an energy-saving feature called "Sniff Mode," which reduced power consumption when a device was idle.

An improved version, 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), was released in 2007 and offered even faster speeds of up to 3.1Mbps. It was primarily used for connecting devices such as phones and laptops to headsets and speakers.

Bluetooth Version 3.0 and 3.0+HS

Bluetooth 3.0, released in 2009, introduced a new feature called "AMP" (Alternative MAC/PHY), which allowed devices to switch between different types of wireless technology to improve speed and range. It also supported faster data transfer rates of up to 24Mbps.

An updated version, 3.0+HS (High Speed), was released in 2010 and offered even faster speeds of up to 24Mbps thanks to a new technology called "L2CAP," which improved data transfer efficiency. It was primarily used for transferring large files between devices.

Bluetooth Version 4.0

Bluetooth 4.0, released in 2010, introduced a new feature called "Bluetooth Low Energy" (BLE) that significantly reduced power consumption. This made it ideal for use in devices that required long battery life, such as fitness trackers and smart home devices. It also offered faster data transfer rates of up to 25Mbps.

Bluetooth Version 4.1

Released in 2013, Bluetooth 4.1 introduced a few minor improvements over the previous version. It added support for IPv6, the latest version of the Internet Protocol, and improved security by adding "Secure Connections." It also introduced a new feature called "Data Length Extension," which allowed devices to send more significant amounts of data in a single packet, improving efficiency.

Bluetooth Version 4.2

Bluetooth 4.2, released in 2014, introduced a few more security improvements, including "Privacy 1.2," which made it more difficult for third parties to track a device's location.

Bluetooth Version 5

Released in 2016, Bluetooth 5 was a major upgrade from previous versions. It offered significantly faster speeds of up to 2Mbps and a longer range of up to 200 meters (656 feet). It also introduced a new feature called "Bluetooth 5 Advertising Extension," which allowed devices to broadcast a larger amount of data, making it ideal for use in location-based services and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Bluetooth Version 5.2

Released in 2018, Bluetooth 5.2 added a few more improvements over the previous version. It introduced a new feature called "Angle of Arrival" (AoA), which allowed devices to determine the direction a signal was coming from, making it ideal for use in location-based services and indoor positioning systems. It also introduced a new feature called "Angle of Departure" (AoD), which allowed devices to determine the direction in which a signal was being sent to.

Bluetooth 5.2 also added support for a new technology called "LE Audio," which allowed devices to stream high-quality audio using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This made it ideal for use in wireless earbuds and other audio applications.