Bluetooth Speeds Are Set to Quadruple in 2027

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced a major upgrade set to quadruple maximum data speeds for Bluetooth Low Energy technology in 2027. Known as Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT), the revision will be part of the upcoming Bluetooth Core 7.0 standard. Bit rates are expected to soar from the current 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps, a fourfold increase.

Devices with the new technology are slated to appear on store shelves starting in 2027. This upgrade promises to benefit a wide range of users, from phone and tablet owners to smart speaker enthusiasts and beyond. Bluetooth remains the go-to wireless standard for medium-to-short-range connections, but the HDT upgrade will initially target premium wireless products such as high-end earbuds, smart glasses, health wearables, and smart home devices.

Bluetooth HDT introduces a new physical layer, which is the foundational component of the standard responsible for transmitting and receiving data signals. Enhanced modulation schemes within the physical layer enable more efficient data handling and significantly higher data transmission rates. These improvements not only boost speeds but also contribute to better battery life across many applications.

While the exact timeline for specific device rollouts remains unclear, early adopters are expected to include wireless audio products such as earbuds. As Bluetooth protocol changes often take time to permeate the market, manufacturers may take years to fully embrace the new technology.