Google quietly added LHDC v5 support to Pixel phones as part of the Android 17 rollout. For a subset of listeners, this update can noticeably improve Bluetooth audio quality. That said, it isn’t a universal upgrade — whether you hear a meaningful difference depends on multiple factors: the earbuds you use, the audio source you stream from, the files’ resolution, and your own ability to perceive subtle changes in sound quality. For most casual listeners using standard earbuds and streaming compressed music, the change will be marginal at best. But for those with compatible, higher-end earbuds and high-resolution audio sources, LHDC v5 can unlock clearer detail, better dynamics, and a generally richer listening experience.
LHDC v5 is a higher-bitrate Bluetooth codec developed by Savitech and is comparable in concept to Sony’s LDAC. Historically, Pixel phones have favored LDAC as their primary high-resolution wireless audio option. If your earbuds lacked LDAC support, you were typically limited to AAC or SBC, which apply greater compression and can reduce audio fidelity. With LHDC v5 now available on supported Pixels, users who pair compatible earbuds — such as some recent models from OnePlus, Nothing, and other manufacturers that have adopted LHDC — gain an alternative path to higher-quality wireless sound. That alternative can be particularly valuable for listeners who stream lossless or Hi-Res audio files, or who prioritize preserving as much detail as possible over Bluetooth.
How to turn on LHDC v5
Before you can select LHDC v5 on your Pixel, make sure the compatible earbuds are paired to the phone. The option will not appear unless the device is connected and recognized as supporting the codec.
- Open Settings, tap System, then Developer Options.
- If Developer Options isn’t visible yet, go to About Phone and tap the build number repeatedly until Developer Options is unlocked.
- Inside Developer Options, scroll down to the Bluetooth Audio Codec setting.
- Select LHDC v5 from the list of available codecs.
This same menu is used to switch between Bluetooth audio codecs in general, and the LHDC v5 toggle introduced with Android 17 will only become selectable once the earbuds are connected. The change is applied per paired device, so you may need to verify the codec setting each time you connect a different pair of headphones or earbuds that support multiple codecs.
Google did not highlight LHDC v5 in its official Android 17 release notes; the capability was first noticed by a user who discovered it while pairing OnePlus earbuds. Codec support changes like this often slip under the radar because they matter most to a specific group of audio-focused users rather than the general population. Still, for those users, the update is significant: it broadens codec compatibility on Pixel devices and gives owners more flexibility when choosing wireless audio gear.
In practical terms, most listeners who use mainstream streaming services through basic earbuds will notice little or no difference. Streaming services often apply their own compression or use adaptive bitrates, which can limit how much benefit a higher-bitrate codec brings. Conversely, if you’re sourcing high-resolution audio — for example, lossless files, high-bitrate downloads, or a Hi-Res streaming tier — and you pair that content with earbuds designed to take advantage of LHDC, the result can be a clearer, more detailed soundstage with improved handling of transients and greater resolution in the mid and high frequencies.
Finally, remember that real-world results depend on the entire audio chain: the quality of the source file, the player or streaming app, the codec settings on both the phone and the earbuds, and the earbuds’ own drivers and tuning. If you have compatible hardware and care about wireless audio fidelity, it’s worth trying LHDC v5 on your Pixel and listening critically to see whether it delivers an audible improvement for your setup. If you don’t hear a difference, you can always switch back to the codec that best suits battery life, latency, or connection stability for your use case.