Qualcomm announces the new APT-X Lossless codec, which will allow broadcasting of a 44.1 kHz / 16-bit audio stream over Bluetooth, ie CD quality audio previously reserved for cable connections.
APT-X Lossless Bluetooth, labeled source and broadcasters
Namely, Hi-Res Audio (96 kHz / 24 bit) will also be supported but with compression. To enjoy this audio quality in Bluetooth, the new codec is not enough since the source device and the headphones must also be compatible with the codec. Qualcomm's recent Snapdragon chips support APT-X by default, so almost all Android smartphones in Europe and the US will be compatible. As for headsets, Qualcomm announces that the first APT-X Lossless compatible models will arrive before the end of the year.
Very good news therefore for sound enthusiasts, because until now such quality in Bluetooth has been the preserve of Sony's LDAC and DSEE technologies, requiring Sony headphones.