It’s no secret that Bluetooth technology has become an intrinsic part of our daily lives. Whether we’re sharing files across devices, talking on the phone, or setting up the ultimate smart home, Bluetooth is everywhere.

Like many technologies, changes and improvements over time are inevitable, and Bluetooth is a great example of that as well. Bluetooth has evolved over the years, and most recently, rolled out a 5.2 version in 2020, which is the newest Bluetooth version. But how does 5.2 really differ from 5 (the previous version)? And how do you know what will work best for you? Read on for our comparison of Bluetooth 5.2 vs Bluetooth 5.

What is Bluetooth Version 5?

Up until January 2020, Bluetooth version 5 was the latest and greatest in Bluetooth technology. The Bluetooth 5.0 release date was July 2016, and this was a significant update because Bluetooth version 5 offered “an increase in maximum range up to 800 feet, along with significantly faster max data transfer speeds up to 50/Mbs” (AndroidCentral).

One of the most common uses for Bluetooth 5 is wireless headphones, as well as other common wireless devices such as game controllers and computer mice, and smart home devices (such as speakers, lights, and more). Bluetooth version 5 is compatible with most other devices, and since Bluetooth offers the benefit of being backwards compatible.

What is the Latest Version of Bluetooth?

The latest version of Bluetooth is Bluetooth 5.2, which was released in January 2020. Prior to Bluetooth 5.2, the progression of Bluetooth technology looked like:

What’s New in Bluetooth 5.2, the Latest Bluetooth Version?

There are a number of new features and functionalities that are available to users with Bluetooth version 5. One of the most significant additions is a new feature called Isochronous Channels (ISOC). According to NovelBits, ISOC “lays the foundation for the implementation of LE Audio in BLE devices, supporting Bluetooth 5.2 or later.”

Some other new additions that were rolled out with Bluetooth 5.2 include:

LE Power Control (LEPC) - A feature that allows the transmitter to adjust its transmission power by itself or can be requested to change its transmission power by a peer device (Bluetooth.com).

Enhanced Attribute Protocol (EATT) - An upgraded version of the original Attribute Protocol (ATT) which allows for concurrent or parallel transactions between a Bluetooth LE client and a server (versus ATT which only allowed sequential transactions (Telink).

These additions support Bluetooth version 5.2 in functioning at the most efficient and advanced level of all Bluetooth versions to date.

Bluetooth Version Comparison - What is the Difference Between Bluetooth Version 5 and Bluetooth 5.2?

The primary differences between Bluetooth Version 5 and Bluetooth Version 5.2 have to do with capability and performance. Here are some of the major differences between these two versions: