Qualcomm has taken a significant step by integrating its high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs, aptX and aptX HD, into the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This means that manufacturers are no longer required to pay a licensing fee to Qualcomm when incorporating these codecs into their Android smartphones, regardless of whether they are utilizing Qualcomm’s chipset or not.
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With this recent development, it is expected that more devices, including budget-friendly smartphones, will be able to support hi-fi wireless audio formats. However, it is important to note that only aptX and aptX HD are included in AOSP, while more advanced versions such as aptX Adaptive and aptX Low Latency are excluded.
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It is worth mentioning that manufacturers of audio devices are still required to pay a licensing fee. Therefore, TWS devices or Bluetooth headphones that support aptX are likely to be more expensive than regular codecs such as SBC or AAC.
Overall, Qualcomm’s decision to integrate its high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs into AOSP is a positive step towards improving the accessibility of wireless hi-fi audio technology for Android devices.
