Android 17 boosts Google Pixel wireless audio: How to check
▼ Summary
– Google Pixel phones now support LHDCv5 in Android 17, a high-quality wireless codec that enables audio quality comparable to wired solutions.
– LHDCv5 is a system-level supported codec in Android 17, making it available on any Android device running the latest version, not just Pixels.
– Users need compatible hardware, such as high-end wireless earbuds, to use LHDCv5; the codec is supported on most premium earbuds today.
– To check if LHDCv5 is active on a Pixel, users can enable developer options and navigate to Settings > System > Developer options > Bluetooth to see the active codec.
– The codec menu only appears when Bluetooth audio devices are actively connected; for example, OnePlus Buds Pro 3 use LHDCv5, while Pixel Buds Pro 2 still rely on AAC.
Google Pixel users are now getting a notable upgrade in wireless audio quality, thanks to Android 17 and its new support for LHDCv5. While wired listening still has its advocates, the dominance of Bluetooth earbuds and headphones makes this development especially timely for anyone who values sound fidelity on the go.
For years, AAC has been the standard codec for wireless audio, with SBC serving as another common fallback on Google Pixel devices. But LHDC (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec) operates on a different level. It delivers high-resolution sound that rivals what you’d expect from a wired connection. Many Android manufacturers have already baked LHDC into their phones, but it was never part of Android’s native codec lineup. That meant Pixel devices were left out.
Until now.
With the stable release of Android 17, Google Pixel phones officially support LHDCv5, a codec version first announced back in 2022 that has since become a staple in premium wireless audio gear. According to the company behind LHDC, this version is now a “system-level supported codec in Android 17.” That means the benefit isn’t exclusive to Pixel devices. Any Android phone running the latest OS can theoretically tap into the same audio boost. Users first spotted the codec appearing in last week’s update, and we’ve verified it in our own testing.
Of course, hardware compatibility is still essential. Most high-end wireless earbuds on the market today already support LHDCv5.
To check whether your Pixel is using the new codec, head into Developer Options. Start by going to Settings > About phone and tapping “Build number” until you see the developer mode prompt. Then navigate to Settings > System > Developer options > Bluetooth. There, you’ll find the Bluetooth Audio Codec section. If your earbuds support LHDCv5, it should appear as an option and likely be selected by default.
In our tests, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 showed LHDCv5 active, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 remained on AAC, as they lack LHDC support. The Nothing Ear (3) also didn’t display LHDC, since they use LDAC instead, a codec the Pixel 10 does not support. Keep in mind this menu only appears when Bluetooth audio devices are actively connected.
Android 17 is currently rolling out to all Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones. And for those looking to upgrade their earbuds, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are currently available for under $100 during Prime Day.
(Source: 9to5google.com)
