Bluetooth Versions

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  1. Bluetooth 5.3 (2021) In this incremental upgrade, Bluetooth 5.3 offers enhanced stability, security, and efficiency. Peripherals can now list preferred channels with a central device, whereas previously only the central device could set channels.
  2. Bluetooth 5.2 (2020) Bluetooth 5.2 introduces LE Power Control (LEPC), allowing peer devices to request adjustable power. Additionally, the Enhanced Attribute Protocol (EATT) enables parallel operations between Low Energy (LE) clients and servers.
  3. Bluetooth 5.1 (2019) With Bluetooth 5.1, improved tracking accuracy is achieved through more antennas, and Generic Attribute (GATT) profile caching facilitates quicker pairing by remembering requirements.
  4. Bluetooth 5 (2016) Bluetooth 5 presents a more robust version with extended battery life and an increased outdoor transmission range from 50 to 200 meters. It enhances location services by conveying more information before establishing a connection. The Galaxy S8, iPhone 8, and iPhone X were among the first smartphones to support Bluetooth 5.
  5. Bluetooth 4.2 (2014) Tailored for the Internet of Things (IoT), Bluetooth 4.2 increases the payload size in the Bluetooth packet by 10 times, significantly lowering overhead to accommodate 2.5 times more data. It also supports the low-power wireless personal area network (WPAN) version of IPv6 (6LoWPAN), enabling billions of devices to have unique IP addresses. Additionally, Bluetooth 4.2 introduces beacon privacy to prevent retail shops from sensing a user’s presence.
  6. Bluetooth 4.1 (2013) Bluetooth 4.1 offers more efficient data exchange and better co-existence with LTE frequencies. It allows devices to maintain connections with less manual intervention and enables Bluetooth devices to communicate with each other, serving as both client and hub simultaneously.
  7. Bluetooth 4 (2010) Introduced as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or “Bluetooth Smart,” Bluetooth 4 ushered in a low-power version ideal for IoT applications.
  8. Bluetooth 3 + HS (2009) Branded as Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (High Speed), this version initiates connections via Bluetooth but transmits data over Wi-Fi for faster data transfer.
  9. Bluetooth 2.1 (2007) Bluetooth 2.1 introduces Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) for faster and more secure pairing. It also mandates encryption, improves security, and reduces power consumption.
  10. Bluetooth 2 (2004) Branded as Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), this version increases data rates from 1 to 3 Mbps through three-bit encoding, and it improves interference handling while consuming less power.
  11. Bluetooth 1.2 (2003) Bluetooth 1.2 (Basic Data Rate) was the first widely used Bluetooth technology. It introduced Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) to avoid interference with Wi-Fi and other technologies operating in the same frequency range, and it improved pairing speed.
  12. Bluetooth 1.1 (2001) Bluetooth 1.1 focused on reliability and interoperability improvements, though it was mostly backward compatible but not entirely.
  13. Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B (1999) These were the first Bluetooth specifications. However, deployment issues initially hindered Bluetooth’s rapid adoption.

 

Data Rates:

  • Bluetooth 5.0: 3 Mbps (best range)
  • Bluetooth 4.2 + BLE: 3 Mbps (IoT)
  • Bluetooth 4.1: 3 Mbps
  • Bluetooth 4.0 + BLE: 3 Mbps (low energy)
  • Bluetooth 3.0 + HS: 24 Mbps (Wi-Fi)
  • “Bluetooth Classic”:
    • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR: 3 Mbps
    • Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR: 3 Mbps
    • Bluetooth 1.2: 0.7 Mbps
    • Bluetooth 1.0: 0.7 Mbps

 

Power Classes:

  • Class 1: Max Power (mW) – 100, Approx. Range (meters) – 100
  • Class 2: Max Power (mW) – 2.5, Approx. Range (meters) – 10
  • Class 3: Max Power (mW) – 1, Approx. Range (meters) – 1