Google adds LHDC v5 Bluetooth support to Pixel Android 17

Google has quietly added support for the LHDC v5 Bluetooth audio codec to Pixel phones with the Android 17 update, providing a new high-quality wireless audio option for users with compatible earbuds. The feature was not mentioned in official release notes and was first discovered by users on Reddit.

The addition gives Pixel owners an alternative to Sony's LDAC codec, which has been the primary high-bitrate option on the devices for years. When using earbuds that do not support LDAC, phones previously defaulted to the more compressed AAC or SBC codecs. LHDC v5, developed by Savitech, offers higher bitrates and supports features like a low-latency connection and sampling rates up to 96kHz, potentially improving audio fidelity for supported hardware.

To enable the feature, users must first pair compatible earbuds, such as recent models from OnePlus or Nothing. The option to select LHDC v5 then appears within the Bluetooth Audio Codec menu in the system's Developer Options. If Developer Options are not visible, they can be unlocked by tapping the build number several times in the About Phone settings menu.

The impact of the update is highly dependent on a user's specific audio...