Sony WH-1000XM5 and LinkBuds S LE Audio Update coming soon?
Both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and LinkBuds S have been re-certified on Bluetooth SIG. This time with the Isochronous Adaptation Layer which is required for LE Audio.The old listing for the WH-1000XM5 lacks this layer. Sony has an event on May 8th, whether this is related to this, is unknown.
I personally was not expecting the WH-1000XM5 to get LE Audio, since a smaller set of earbuds would have more benefits with the update than a larger headset. But of course there is the Auracast functionality. For those unfamiliar with Auracast, this is where a device like smartphone can send out multiple independent audio streams to multiple devices at once. This would allow a person to share the music or audio from their device to a couple of headsets, allowing sharing of music or when watching a movie on a tablet for example. More information about Auracast can be found here. But it is unknown if Auracast will be part of the update.
It will be a few years before this technology is mainstream, but it would be great if the WH-1000XM5 did get the LE Audio update. We know the LinkBuds S will get the update this Spring, so hopefully the WH-1000XM5 will follow shortly after. Both models use the same Bluetooth chip, meaning technically the WH-1000XM5 can get the update.
Here is a screenshot of the Bluetooth SIG listing for the WH-1000XM5.
The new WH-CH720N unfortunately lacks this new Isochronous Adaptation Layer, so there will not be any LE Audio support in the near term. Sony can always re-certify it like the WH-1000XM5 and LinkBuds. The WH-CH720N uses the same Mediatek chip, the MT2822 as the LinkBuds S and WH-1000XM5, so there are no technical restrictions.
But the cheaper WH-CH520 was certified with this new layer, so it should technically get an LE Audio update in the future, perhaps later on this summer or fall?
Anyway, re-certification is a good sign, as it shows Sony wants to keep their devices up to date with the latest tech. For those wondering, yes the WF-1000XM5 has the new LE Audio layer support.
