Apple announced lossless audio for Apple Music this year. However, the feature only works with wired earphones. For those who want to listen to lossless audio over Bluetooth, then you will be interested in Qualcomm’s new aptX Lossless audio technology which will provide lossless audio quality over Bluetooth.

Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound

Qualcomm says that aptX Lossless is a new technology under Snapdragon Sound which it announced in May. The new audio technology will bring CD-quality 16-bit 44.1kHz lossless audio quality over Bluetooth wireless technology, and it works by using aptX Adaptive in conjunction with Qualcomm Bluetooth High Speed Link technology to deliver the required sustainable data throughput. Even though they are designed to deliver rates beyond 1Mbit/s, Qualcomm states they are able to smoothly scale down to 140kbits/s even in congested RF environments to prevent glitches.

aptX lossless features and specifications

  • Supports 44.1kHz, 16-bit CD lossless audio quality
  • Designed to scale up to CD lossless audio based on Bluetooth link quality
  • Users can select between CD lossless audio 44.1kHz and 24-bit 96kHz lossy
  • Auto-detects to enable CD lossless audio when the source is lossless audio
  • Mathematically bit-for-bit exact
  • Bit-rate – ~1Mbps

Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless will be available in late 2021 via Bluetooth earbuds and headsets. This means that to enjoy the technology, you will have to purchase a new pair of headphones or earbuds that supports aptX Lossless. Of course, your phone will also have to support Snapdragon Sound which brings aptX Adaptive Audio technology that aptX Lossless makes use of. The Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra are two phones with support for Snapdragon Sound.

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