Glossary

aptX HD

Qualcomm's Bluetooth audio codec, streaming up to 576 kbps. Lower bitrate than LDAC but lower latency and broader Android device support.

aptX HD encodes audio at 576 kbps over Bluetooth, with about 250 ms latency in basic mode — meaningful for video and gaming where lip-sync matters.

Variants

aptX HD — high bitrate, no low-latency mode.
aptX Adaptive — scales bitrate (279–420 kbps) based on RF conditions; lower latency.
aptX Lossless — bit-perfect CD-quality, requires Snapdragon Sound certified source.

Like LDAC, aptX requires support on both source and headphones. Qualcomm chipsets are common in Android phones; absent from iPhones.

Where this matters