Along with the beta release of iOS 16 and other upcoming OS updates, Apple has also released a new beta firmware for the AirPods Max (test) to developers. This now shows the first indications of the use of the LC3 audio codec, which could also indicate an update for LE Audio.
With the AirPods Max, LC3 could probably only be used for phone calls to improve voice quality. This is also indicated by the entry in the beta firmware. A general use of the new codec could therefore be planned for new products from Apple such as the AirPods Pro 2 or even AirPods Max 2, if they also support Bluetooth 5.2 LE and are based on new hardware.
Currently, no AirPods model with an H1 chip supports Bluetooth 5.2, so that a new SoC from Apple is required first. The new AirPods Pro 2 are rumored to support Bluetooth 5.2, which would then also enable LC3. However, the new AirPods Pro are repeatedly said to support Lossless Audio, which Apple delivers with 24-bit and 192 kHz.
AirPods Max on 5A282B pic.twitter.com/ufbdFDwaYD
— George (@marajobsession) June 17, 2022
Also iOS 16 with traces of LC3 and LE Audio
iOS 16 also contains hints about future support for LC3 and the next-generation Bluetooth standard: Bluetooth LE Audio. Since an Apple employee is involved in the development of the new standard, it doesn't seem unlikely that Apple will support it.
LC3 for better audio quality
The LC3 codec (Low Complexity Communication Codecs) supports sampling rates up to 32-bit and 48 kHz at many variable bit rates such as 160, 192, 240 and 345 kbit/s and supports higher audio quality than SBC at the same bit rate or the same audio quality at a lower one bit rate.
However, even higher bit rates such as 24-bit and 96 kHz are only offered by LC3 Plus, with which end devices can then also receive wireless Hi-Res certification. In future devices with Bluetooth LE Audio, LC3 will serve as the standard codec and will thus replace the SBC (Low Complexity Subband Codec) currently always supported by Bluetooth. LE Audio is part of Bluetooth 5.2 LE.
Other innovations with LE Audio
With LE Audio, further extras are also introduced, such as reduced latency and multi-stream support in order to transmit an audio signal to many end devices at the same time. Apple has so far supported simultaneous playback from one end device on two headphones – a limitation that no longer exists with LE Audio and which enables new usage scenarios for your own end devices not only privately but also in public spaces such as museums. Loudspeakers can also easily connect to a loudspeaker group via LE Audio so that they can all play music at the same time without the need for a separate standard – Marshall has already announced this for their new loudspeakers.