LDAC

LDAC is a Bluetooth audio codec developed by Sony that enables high-resolution audio playback over wireless connections. Designed as part of the Bluetooth A2DP profile, LDAC aims to preserve more of the original audio data than standard Bluetooth codecs by transmitting at higher data rates where possible.

Introduced in 2015, LDAC offers three selectable bitrates: 990 kbps, 660 kbps, and 330 kbps. At the highest setting, it can carry up to 24-bit, 96 kHz audio, though the actual quality depends on the source material, device capabilities, and radio conditions. The codec negotiates the best bitrate for the connection, allowing pairing devices to maintain audio fidelity in fluctuating environments.

LDAC is licensed and proprietary to Sony, and device manufacturers must obtain authorization to implement it. It has gained broad support on Android devices and many Sony audio products, but is not universally available across all platforms. Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later typically support LDAC, along with many Sony headphones and audio players. iOS devices do not natively support LDAC, instead typically using AAC or other codecs for Bluetooth audio.

Latency and practical use: LDAC can introduce more latency than some low-latency codecs, and performance depends on bitrate and Bluetooth conditions. For critical gaming or lip-sync, users may prefer alternatives with lower latency. In the market, LDAC is one of several high-quality Bluetooth codecs alongside aptX HD and AAC.