Overview
- Pixel phones running Android 17 now include native support for LHDC v5, a change that arrived with Google’s Android 17 stable rollout released June 16, 2026.
- The LHDC v5 option is not advertised by Google and shows up only in Settings > System > Developer Options > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Audio Codec when a supported headset is paired.
- LHDC v5 advertises low latency of about 80 milliseconds, an adaptive bitrate roughly from 128 kbps to 900 kbps, and sampling up to 96 kHz, which enable higher-bitrate wireless audio under the right conditions.
- Real gains depend on hardware and sources: users must pair LHDC‑capable earbuds (examples include some OnePlus and Nothing models), enable any Hi‑Res option in companion apps, and stream high‑resolution audio to notice the difference.
- Savitech had said LHDC v5 would be a system‑level codec in Android 17, so the change could extend to other Android devices as manufacturers adopt the new OS and push broader high‑res Bluetooth support.