Bluetooth 7.0 adds optional HDT, raising LE speeds to 7.5Mbps

The Bluetooth SIG has published the Bluetooth Core 7.0 standard, which includes High Data Throughput (HDT), an optional feature for Bluetooth LE devices. HDT raises the connection’s headline bitrate from 2.5Mbps to 7.5Mbps. Real-world speeds will be lower, according to TechRadar.

TechRadar reports that HDT can transmit almost four times as much data as the current version, potentially enabling high-resolution, spatial and multi-channel audio over Bluetooth LE. Manufacturers must choose to include the optional feature, so its availability will depend on product makers.

Moving high-resolution audio streams from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth LE could reduce traffic on home networks. The article also says faster transfers may improve headphone battery life because the Bluetooth radio has to work less, including when handling lower-resolution streams.

The higher throughput could also benefit other Bluetooth devices, such as smartwatches, smart glasses and smart-home products. However, HDT devices are not yet available. TechRadar notes that Bluetooth 6.0 was released in September 2024, and the first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones arrived in June 2026. It expects a similar wait for Bluetooth 7.0 products, pointing to summer as a possible timeframe.