LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic: Wireless Headphones 2026

Bluetooth has been the backbone of wireless audio for over 20 years. It started in first hands-free car kits, early mono headsets, and quickly spread to phones, laptops, and speakers. Over time it became the default way to connect wirelessly, so most people don’t even think about it anymore. But with LE Audio’s arrival, many users wonder if Bluetooth Classic is finally outdated, or if it still has a role for devices we already own.

Table of Contents

Introduction

This question is more relevant now because Bluetooth 5.2 and newer show up in latest headphones, earbuds, and smartphones. Features like the new LC3 codec and Auracast broadcasts are no longer just technical notes – they’re real options in products you can buy today. That makes LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic less about the distant future and more about choices people face right now.

What is Bluetooth Classic?

Bluetooth Classic, also known as BR/EDR, is the older version that carried wireless streaming for more than two decades. It was designed when the main goal was simply getting audio working without cables, and it succeeded.

Classic works with codecs like SBC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC. The SBC codec is mandatory, so any two devices can fall back to it, while higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC are optional extras when both devices support them. This gave Bluetooth Classic balance between universal compatibility and better sound options.

You’ll find Classic in wireless headphones, car audio systems, game controllers, Bluetooth speakers, and even old feature phones. Its strength has always been stability and compatibility. You can take a headset from ten years ago and still pair it with a brand-new laptop, and it works. That reliability kept Classic alive far longer than many expected.

But Classic has weak spots. It uses more power than LE Audio, so headphones often need bigger batteries to last through the day. It also struggles with modern expectations like connecting to multiple devices at once. Switching between a laptop and phone, for example, can feel clunky. These limits are exactly why LE Audio was created – not to replace Classic overnight, but to fix its long-standing issues.

What is LE Audio?

LE Audio was introduced with Bluetooth 5.2 and represents the biggest shift in Bluetooth audio since the technology began. Unlike Classic, which relied on older codecs, LE Audio is built around LC3 – the Low Complexity Communication Codec. LC3 was designed from the ground up to deliver same or better audio quality at much lower bitrates. That means it streams music or calls using less bandwidth and less battery power, which makes a huge difference for earbuds and small devices.

Advantages show up right away. With LC3, wireless earbuds last longer without needing bigger batteries. Call quality improves too, because LC3 keeps voices clearer even when connection isn’t perfect. Music at low bitrates also sounds cleaner compared to SBC, which often loses detail.

But LE Audio isn’t only about the codec. It adds features Classic never had. Multi-stream audio lets each earbud receive its own signal, instead of having one earbud relay audio to the other. That makes true wireless earbuds more stable, with fewer dropouts and better sync. Broadcast audio, branded as Auracast, is another major addition. With it, one device sends sound to many listeners at once – whether that’s a TV in a sports bar or an announcement system in an airport.

LE Audio also changes accessibility. For the first time, hearing aids connect directly using standard Bluetooth, without extra adapters. This means people with hearing loss use everyday devices like phones, laptops, and TVs without special hardware. It’s a small change in spec, but huge improvement in real life.

In short, LE Audio improves sound efficiency, lowers power use, and adds new features that open entirely new ways to use wireless audio.

We tested some of the best LE Audio earbuds, including the EarFun Air Pro 4, before exploring what LE Audio is and why it matters.

Check EarFun Air Pro 4 on Amazon
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Key Differences Between LE Audio and Bluetooth Classic

When people compare LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic, differences look technical on paper. But once you break them down, they’re easy to understand and explain why LE Audio is such a big deal.

Audio codec – Bluetooth Classic relies on SBC as baseline, and if both devices support it you use aptX, aptX HD, or LDAC. These codecs gave Classic flexibility but also fragmentation, since not every phone or headphone supports the same ones. LE Audio replaces this mix with LC3. The idea is simple: one codec that’s more efficient, works at lower bitrates, and sounds better than SBC. For users, that means less guessing about which codec is active and more consistent results.
Battery efficiency – Classic uses more power because it wasn’t designed with today’s ultra-compact earbuds in mind. LE Audio fixes this by lowering bitrate without losing quality, which cuts energy needed. In practice, wireless earbuds using LE Audio squeeze out extra hours of playtime compared to same hardware running Classic.
Multi-stream audio – One of biggest frustrations with Classic true wireless earbuds is that one earbud often acts as “master” and relays signal to the other. This can cause small delays or connection dropouts. LE Audio streams directly to both left and right earbuds simultaneously. That means fewer sync issues, smoother switching between devices, and possibility of one phone sending separate streams to two different earbuds at once.
Auracast broadcast – With Classic, audio connections are private and limited. You pair one device to one or two receivers, and that’s it. LE Audio changes this completely with Auracast. A single device sends a broadcast that anyone nearby with compatible headphones can join, like joining a Wi-Fi network. This has huge potential for places like gyms, airports, schools, and stadiums.
Compatibility – Bluetooth Classic is still everywhere. It works in cars, old laptops, cheap speakers, and almost anything with a Bluetooth logo. LE Audio requires Bluetooth 5.2 or newer, meaning you need recent hardware. Over next few years, more devices ship with LE Audio, but for now many people use both standards side by side.

This is a good place for a simple comparison table, showing Classic on one side and LE Audio on the other, with rows for codec, efficiency, latency, multi-stream support, Auracast, and compatibility.

Real-World Performance

On paper, LE Audio looks like a big upgrade, but what matters is how it works in daily use. Difference shows up first in small devices like wireless earbuds. With LC3 codec, sound stays clear even at lower bitrates. For most people, that means you use less battery and still get better quality than SBC. Earbuds don’t push as hard, so they play longer without charging.

Bluetooth Classic, on the other hand, is still backbone for many older systems. Car stereos, older laptops, and budget headphones almost always rely on Classic because it works everywhere. In these cases, experience is still solid. SBC may not sound as polished as LC3 or LDAC, but for casual listening in the car or on a small speaker it does the job. That’s why Classic isn’t disappearing overnight.

Another area where difference is clear is connection stability. With Classic, true wireless earbuds often connect one bud first and then relay signal to the other. If you’ve ever had the right earbud cut out for a second, that’s why. LE Audio fixes this with multi-stream audio, sending separate signal to each earbud. In practice, that means fewer dropouts, smoother video sync, and better switching when you move between laptop, phone, or tablet.

Some headphone brands already moved to LE Audio. SoundPEATS, TOZO, and Anker started shipping models with Qualcomm’s newer QCC30xx chipsets, which unlock LE Audio support. These earbuds don’t just sound better at lower bitrates, they also last longer on same battery and are ready for Auracast broadcasts when more devices support it.

So in real-world use, LE Audio brings longer playtime, fewer sync issues, and cleaner sound at low bitrates. Classic still works fine for legacy gear, but once you try LE Audio on good earbuds, difference is hard to miss.

LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic for Gaming

Latency has always been weak spot for Bluetooth Classic. Even with aptX Low Latency, delays of 40 ms or more are common, and with regular SBC it can go well past 100 ms. For casual listening that’s fine, but for gaming it quickly becomes distracting. You fire a shot and hear sound half a beat later.

LE Audio was built with this in mind. The LC3 codec delivers much lower latency, often around 20-30 ms. That doesn’t just help with games, it also improves lip-sync when watching videos. For most people, difference is enough to notice right away. Competitive players still stick with wired or 2.4 GHz dongles for lowest possible delay, but for mobile gaming and VR, LE Audio is clearly better option.

As more headphones adopt LC3, experience of gaming wirelessly should feel smoother. Instead of choosing between comfort and performance, users get both. The EarFun Air Pro 4 are good example, with Bluetooth 5.4, game mode under 50 ms, and upcoming LE Audio support making them ready for this new standard. It’s another sign LE Audio isn’t just small step forward, but real upgrade.

Should You Upgrade to LE Audio?

If you already own good headphones that use Bluetooth Classic, there’s no need to rush. Classic is still supported everywhere, and for most daily use it still does the job. You watch movies, listen to music, and make calls without trouble.

But if you’re shopping for something new, it makes sense to look for LE Audio support. Benefits add up: longer battery life, multi-stream audio for stable earbuds, lower latency for gaming, and Auracast broadcasts when they become common.

This is also about timing. Right now we’re in transition period. Many devices still ship with Classic because it’s universal, but every year more phones, laptops, and headphones include LE Audio. Analysts expect that by 2027, majority of wireless headphones rely on LE Audio as standard. Classic won’t vanish overnight, but it slowly fades into background the way older standards like infrared or 3.5 mm ports did.

So choice is simple. If you’re happy with your current headphones, keep them. If you’re buying new gear, LE Audio is future-proof option.

Quick LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic Breakdown

LE Audio = better battery life, more efficient codec, lower latency, and future features like Auracast.
Bluetooth Classic = works everywhere, proven and reliable, but less efficient and missing new features.

FAQ

Is LE Audio backward compatible with Bluetooth Classic?

Yes. Devices that support LE Audio fall back to Classic for older gear, usually through SBC codec. But advanced features like LC3, multi-stream, and Auracast require both devices to support LE Audio.

Does LE Audio sound better than aptX or LDAC?

It depends. LDAC at highest settings delivers more detail than LC3, but requires more bandwidth and battery. LC3 is more efficient, so gives very good quality even at low bitrates where Classic sounds rough. That’s why it works well for earbuds and hearing aids.

Which devices support LE Audio right now?

Some newer smartphones like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel include support, along with certain iPhones. On headphone side, brands like SoundPEATS, TOZO, and Anker already use Qualcomm’s QCC30xx chips that support LE Audio. Over next two years, expect support to expand quickly.

Is LE Audio good for gaming?

Yes. LC3 reduces latency compared to Classic, bringing it close to wired performance for casual gaming and video. For serious eSports, wired or 2.4 GHz still win, but LE Audio is big step forward compared to Classic.

LE Audio vs Bluetooth Classic: What’s the Difference?