All Bluetooth versions explained: How the technology evolved over the years

Do you need the latest Bluetooth version on all of your devices?

All Bluetooth versions explained: How the technology evolved over the years
Sony WH 1000MX3 Bluetooth pairing
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Within a span of just a couple of decades, Bluetooth has evolved from a niche wireless protocol to a ubiquitous technology that we rely on daily for connecting everything from headphones to smart home devices. It’s now the go-to standard for short-range wireless communication, with perhaps only Wi-Fi surpassing its usefulness and popularity.

But while Bluetooth may seem like a rather stable and unexciting technology on the surface, the protocol has actually undergone several critical changes over the years. In fact, the benefits of some older Bluetooth versions still haven’t made their way into our devices yet.