Which devices support Bluetooth LE Audio?

Bluetooth LE Audio requires both your smartphone and earbuds to support the technology. Most flagship Android phones from 2023 onwards support it, including Samsung Galaxy S23+, Google Pixel 7+, and newer models. For earbuds, look for devices with the LC3 codec support listed in specifications.

How do I enable Bluetooth LE Audio on my phone?

On Android, go to Settings > System > Developer Options > Bluetooth LE Audio and toggle it on. If you don't see Developer Options, enable it first by tapping Build Number in About Phone seven times. iPhone users will find it automatically enabled in Settings > Bluetooth when using compatible earbuds.

Will enabling LE Audio work with older Bluetooth devices?

No, Bluetooth LE Audio only works when both the source device (phone) and audio device (earbuds/speakers) support the LE Audio standard. Older devices will continue to use classic Bluetooth audio (A2DP), but you'll see improvements when both ends support LE Audio.

Why You Should Enable Bluetooth LE Audio on Your New Wireless Earbuds

What Bluetooth LE Audio Actually Delivers

This post explains what Bluetooth LE Audio changes in daily use, which devices currently support it, and the tangible improvements to audio quality, battery life, and latency that justify digging through your earbud settings menu to enable it.

The LC3 Codec Advantage

Bluetooth LE Audio replaces the aging SBC codec with LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec). In real-world testing, LC3 delivers equivalent audio quality to SBC at roughly half the bitrate—about 160 kbps versus 320 kbps. For users, this translates to two measurable benefits.

First, battery life extends significantly. The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro achieve approximately 8 hours of playback with LE Audio enabled versus 6.5 hours with standard Bluetooth Classic on the same volume levels. The Sony WF-1000XM5 show similar gains, stretching from 8 hours to 10 hours with noise cancellation off.

Second, connection stability improves in crowded environments. Standard Bluetooth struggles in areas with heavy 2.4 GHz congestion—think airport terminals or convention halls. LE Audio's isochronous channels reduce dropouts by implementing synchronized timing windows between transmitter and receiver.

Auracast and Multi-Stream

LE Audio introduces Auracast broadcast audio, now appearing in public venues. Airports in Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), and London Heathrow have installed Auracast transmitters at gates. Users with LE Audio-enabled earbuds—such as the Google Pixel Buds Pro or Philips TAA7607—can tap into these broadcasts without pairing, receiving gate announcements directly to their earbuds while blocking terminal noise.

Multi-stream audio is another underappreciated feature. Previously, true wireless earbuds required one bud to act as a relay to the other. LE Audio allows phones to transmit independent streams to each earbud simultaneously. Latency drops from approximately 200-300ms to 40-60ms—noticeable when watching video or gaming.

How to Enable It

On Android 14 and later, navigate to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth > Gear Icon next to your earbuds. Look for "LE Audio" or "Auracast" toggles. Samsung devices bury this under Galaxy Wearable > Earbuds Settings > Advanced.

iPhone users need iOS 17.4 or later with AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, or AirPods Max (USB-C). LE Audio activates automatically when both devices support it—there is no manual toggle. Check Settings > Bluetooth > Info Icon to confirm "LE Audio" appears in the connection details.

The Catch

Source device support remains limited. While earbuds like the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 and Earfun Air Pro 4 ship with LE Audio firmware, many phones and laptops still default to Classic Audio. Verify your phone's Bluetooth controller supports Bluetooth 5.3 or later—this is the hardware prerequisite for LE Audio functionality.

Bottom line: If both your earbuds and phone support LE Audio, enabling it yields 20-30% better battery life, tighter video sync, and access to emerging broadcast systems. The five minutes spent checking firmware versions pays dividends in daily use.