LHDC-V, the latest version of the LHDC Bluetooth codec by technology firm Savitech has made its debut on the Xiaomi 13 smartphones and Xiaomi Buds 4, which was announced on the 11th of December during a new product announcement event in China.
Based on the firm’s new fifth-generation core algorithm, LHDC-V can now realise 24-bit / 192 kHz transmission via the classic Bluetooth audio and LE (Low Energy) audio architecture, ensuring future and backward compatibility.
With music streaming providers such as Apple Music streaming High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Lossless music up to 24 bit / 192 kHz, the adaptive algorithm of LHDC-V enables users to enjoy high-quality music wirelessly via different devices and platforms through auto bitrate optimisation between 128 kbps and 1 Mbps on Bluetooth with a THD+N of -144 dB. LHDC-V marks the debut of LHDC Lossless, which aims to support bit-perfect lossless audio CD quality (16 bit / 48 or 44.1 kHz) audio transmission wirelessly at a rate of between 1 to 1.4 Mbps. LHDC-V supports spatial audio, which was first implemented on LHDC 4.0.
Since the introduction of LHDC in 2018, LHDC has established itself to be a leading Hi-Res Bluetooth audio codec, with the codec being included on the Android platform starting from Android 10 in 2019 and in 2020, accepted as one of the two Bluetooth codecs certified by the Japan Audio Society (JAS) for the “High-Resolution Audio Wireless” certification.
The debut of LHDC-V on Xiaomi 13 smartphones marks a four-generation adoption of LHDC by the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer by market share, which began in 2019 with the Mi 9 Pro 5G. Since then, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, and Realme have announced the inclusion of LHDC on their Android Smartphones.
2022 also saw the adoption of LHDC by FiiO, the world’s second-largest Digital Audio Player (DAP) manufacturer by market share. LHDC 4.0 is available on the Guangdong-based audio manufacturer’s M11 Plus, M11S, and M17 DAPs, support for LHDC-V is in the works.
Sunday’s announcement also saw the debut of the world’s first LHDC-V True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds, the Xiaomi Buds 4. The latest TWS from Xiaomi features an ear-tip-less design and an 11 mm dual magnetic dynamic driver with a graphene diaphragm. The IP54-rated earbuds also support intelligent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), adaptive EQ and spatial audio.
Bluetooth-wise, the earbuds support up to Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth codecs AAC, SBC and LHDC-V and feature multipoint device connectivity. The Xiaomi Buds 4 have a battery life of 6 hours with ANC off and 5 hours with ANC on, with the charging case providing up to 4 cycles of charging. It also features a 10-minute quick charging that will allow 2.5 hours of usage.
Priced at RMB 699, the Xiaomi Buds 4 is available in three colours; Field Green, Moon Shadow and Salt Lake White in China.
