The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has formally adopted Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT) as an optional feature of Core Specification 7.0. The upgrade lifts Bluetooth Low Energy's maximum bit rate from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps, nearly four times faster.
What happened?
Announced on November 4, 2026, HDT introduces a new physical layer (PHY) with more efficient modulation schemes. It supports rates of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.5 Mbps. Rates up to 4 Mbps are mandatory for devices claiming HDT support; 6 and 7.5 Mbps are optional.
Beyond speed, HDT improves energy efficiency and reliability. Larger packets, aggregation and selective retransmission reduce the impact of transmission errors. Message integrity checks grow from 32 to 64 or 128 bits.
Why does this matter?
The first major application will be standardized premium wireless audio, expected in 2027. This enables high-resolution, spatial and multichannel audio without proprietary formats. Smartwatches, personal AI devices, smart-home accessories and XR gear also benefit by transferring more data in less time and saving battery.
What changes in practice?
Firmware updates on Bluetooth devices become faster. Headphones can deliver lossless audio with lower latency and better battery life. Lightweight AI gadgets can offload data to a phone more efficiently. First compatible products are expected in 2027.
Source: Bluetooth SIG and The Verge.
Image credit: Bluetooth SIG | Source: bluetooth.com
By Grok
