Google Pixel phones now support LHDCv5 in Android 17, a codec that offers better audio quality. While wired audio is making a comeback, wireless headphones and earbuds are more prevalent today than ever. The convenience and freedom that wireless headphones offer make them the preferred choice for many users. Wireless audio technology is constantly evolving, aiming to bridge the quality gap that has traditionally existed between wired and wireless solutions.
See also: Google says Pixel Phones won't adopt Liquid Glass
In this context, Google Pixel phones now support LHDCv5 in Android 17, a codec that offers better audio quality.
The wireless codec your phone uses to communicate with Bluetooth devices is critical to the quality of the audio you receive. AAC is the long-standing standard for many devices, offering a balance between quality and performance. SBC is another fairly standard codec that can be used and has long been supported on Google Pixel devices. However, these codecs can’t offer the same audio quality that LHDC can achieve.
LHDC (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec) is different, as it is a high-quality codec that supports quality that is otherwise only available with a wired solution. In particular, LHDCv5, the latest version of the codec, offers improved audio quality with lower latency, making it ideal for applications where synchronized audio playback is critical, such as in music and video.
Several Android brands have already added LHDC to their devices, but it is not a native part of Android and therefore, it had not been found on Google Pixel until now.
Starting with the stable release of Android 17, Google Pixel devices now support LHDCv5. This development is significant, as LHDCv5 was announced in 2022 and is widely used in high-quality wireless audio today. As the company behind LHDC announced earlier this year, LHDCv5 is now a “ system-level supported codec in Android 17 ,” meaning it will be available not only on Pixel devices , but theoretically any Android device running the latest version will get the same audio quality boost.
See also: Google brings Android 17 – Everything about the new version
The integration of LHDCv5 in Android 17 marks a significant step towards improving the listening experience for Android users. Users have been noticing that the codec was active in last week’s update, and we were able to confirm this in our own testing. Of course, to take full advantage of LHDCv5, you’ll need compatible hardware.
LHDCv5 is supported in most high-quality wireless headphones today, offering users the opportunity to enjoy high-resolution audio without the need for a wired connection.
To check if your Pixel is using LHDCv5, you can do so through developer options. First, you need to go to Settings > About phone and tap “Build number” until your phone asks you to enable developer options. At this point, you can go to Settings > System > Developer options > Bluetooth to check which codec is being used.
If you're connected to headphones that support LHDCv5, you'll see the codec as an option — likely the one selected by default — under the "Bluetooth Audio Codec" section. We see this with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, where the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which don't support LHDCv5, still use AAC. The Nothing Ear (3) also don't show LHDC, as they support LDAC.
This menu only appears when Bluetooth audio devices are actively connected. This feature offers users the ability to check and confirm the quality of the audio they are receiving, ensuring they are enjoying the best possible listening experience.
See also: Google's official cases for the entire Pixel 10 series on sale
Android 17 is now rolling out to all Pixel smartphones with Tensor, bringing this innovation to a wider audience. This development is expected to positively impact the wireless headphone market, as consumers increasingly seek solutions that offer high-quality sound without the need for cables.
