Bluetooth 4.0 vs 5.0: Explore Difference & Get Accessaries

Written by: UGREENBLOG

|

|

Time to read 6 min

Introduction

Bluetooth technology has revolutionized the way we connect devices wirelessly. From headphones and speakers to smartwatches and fitness trackers, Bluetooth has become an essential feature in many electronic products. As the technology continues to evolve, consumers are faced with the choice between different versions of Bluetooth, particularly Bluetooth 4.0 vs 5.0. In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between these two versions and help you determine which one is the best fit for your needs.

What is Bluetooth 4.0?

Bluetooth 4.0, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), is a major update to the standard Bluetooth wireless protocol released in 2010. It is designed to be significantly lower in power consumption than classic Bluetooth while maintaining a similar communication range.

The key advantage of Bluetooth 4.0 is its improved energy efficiency and optimized performance for IoT devices. It consumes only a fraction of the power that standard Bluetooth does, making it suitable for smaller devices with limited battery life or that run off button cells. For example, fitness bands, smartwatches, medical devices, remote controls, and sensors can now communicate wirelessly without impacting battery longevity as much.

Some of the major technical changes in Bluetooth 4.0 include:

Lower power requirements: Can operate on coin-cell batteries for months/years instead of days.

Faster connection time: Under 3 ms compared to 100 ms for classic Bluetooth.

Wider network support: Can have over 65,000 nodes compared to 8.

Data transfer speeds up to 1 Mbit/s.

Optimized packet size: More efficient transfer of small chunks of data.

Other key benefits are enhanced security and the ability for Bluetooth 4.0 devices to dual-mode - they can switch automatically between BLE for low power operation and standard Bluetooth for when higher bandwidth or throughput is needed. For example, a smartwatch using BLE can shift to classic Bluetooth when streaming music.

Bluetooth 4.0 opens up new possibilities for wireless connectivity in wearables, smart home technology, proximity-based applications, and IoT networks without putting excessive strain on power sources. It will continue to be a foundational wireless standard alongside WiFi and 5G as we enter an increasingly connected world.

What is Bluetooth 5.0? 

Bluetooth 5.0 is a major update to the Bluetooth wireless technology standard that was released in 2016. It focuses heavily on improving Internet of Things (IoT) device connectivity and overall performance.

Some of the key improvements in Bluetooth 5.0 over previous 4.x versions include:

Faster data transfer speeds - up to 2 Mbit/s, which is 2 times faster than Bluetooth 4.2. This means quicker file transfers and streaming between devices.

Four times longer range - In open air conditions, signals can maintain a stable connection up to 800 feet away, four times farther than with 4.2. This is crucial for smart home and industrial IoT devices.

Twice the broadcasting message capacity - Supports larger amounts of data transmission for smart city and sensor networks with many nodes.

mproved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies like WiFi.
Better power efficiency and optimization for low energy usage.
Enhanced privacy and security features for connected devices and applications.
In terms of real-world usage, Bluetooth 5 provides benefits like whole-home or office coverage, tracking assets over larger areas, and keeping fitness bands linked during activities. Sports equipment sensors, gateways, cameras, and industrial equipment can also stay connected from farther distances.

Dual audio functionality allows smart devices to connect to multiple wireless speakers or headphones simultaneously. For example, a smartphone can output sound to two Bluetooth speakers at once.

Bluetooth 5.0 opens new avenues for IoT device communication with faster speeds, greater coverage range, larger broadcasting capacity, better coexistence with WiFi, and enhanced security. It will help accelerate the adoption of smart homes, wearables, smart cities, industrial automation, and pervasive computing applications.

Bluetooth 4.0 vs 5.0, What are the Differences?

Bluetooth 4.0, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Bluetooth 5.0 are both umbrella specifications that consist of different core functionalities and profiles. While aimed at short-range wireless communication, they have some key differences:

Data Transfer Speeds
Bluetooth 4.0 supports data transfer speeds up to 1 Mbps, while Bluetooth 5.0 boosts theoretical speeds up to 2 Mbps. This allows quicker file sharing and streaming between compatible devices.

Range
Bluetooth 5.0 extends the functional range to approximately 800 feet or 240 meters in open air, quadrupling the 200-230 feet range of BLE. This significantly improves connection stability for large smart homes and industrial facilities.

Broadcasting Capacity
Bluetooth 5 increases broadcasting capacity to send information to many devices simultaneously. A single Bluetooth 5 gateway or beacon can handle hundreds of nodes for sensor networks and smart infrastructure.

Power Efficiency
While BLE brought major power savings over classic Bluetooth, Bluetooth 5 further refines and optimizes energy usage for periherals with smaller batteries. This translates into months or years of operation rather than mere days.

Coexistence
Bluetooth 5 has improved filtering, isolation, and contention handling when operating alongside other wireless signals like WiFi. This curbs frequency interference for faster, steadier performance.

wifi

Mesh Networking Support
Bluetooth 5 brings support for mesh topologies, allowing devices to relay signals via intermediary nodes. This brings wider coverage and more route options than the "hub and spoke" model of Bluetooth 4.

Security
Core specifications in Bluetooth 5 provide better encryption, verification, and protections against man-in-the-middle attacks. Priority has been placed on safeguarding connected technologies and user data.

Dual Audio Streaming
Bluetooth 5 enables connecting two analog audio sinks like speakers or headphones to one source for synchronized streaming. This brings more flexibility for portable entertainment rigs.

In summary, while BLE ushered huge leaps in lowering power usage, Bluetooth 5 focuses on enhancing real-world performance through faster speeds, farther reach, better security, and richer networking capabilities. It aims to cement Bluetooth as the default wireless standard for the emerging Internet of Things.

What are the Uses of Bluetooth in Electronic Products?

Bluetooth has become an ubiquitous short-range wireless standard integrated into a wide variety of electronics and smart devices for connecting, transferring, and sharing data. Here are some of the major uses and applications of Bluetooth technology:

Headphones & Speakers
Bluetooth allows wireless audio connectivity between smartphones, tablets, computers to speakers, headphones, hearing aids or other audio output devices like car infotainment systems. This eliminates wired clutter.

File Sharing
Products with Bluetooth can quickly transfer images, videos, documents and other content wirelessly between phones, tablets, PCs without cables or an internet connection. This enables seamless cross-device sharing.

Input Devices
Bluetooth keyboards, mice, styluses and other input peripherals can interface with numerous devices for greater versatility, mobility and convenience. This also reduces hardware costs in cross-platform contexts.

keyboard

Location and Navigation Devices
Bluetooth beacons placed around stores, buildings, landmarks can communicate with smartphones to provide micro-location services, proximity-based information, directions, facility navigation and more.

Wearables and IoT
Fitness bands, smartwatches and other wearables leverage ultra low energy Bluetooth (BLE) to relay sensor data like heart rate to phones as well as receive notifications. This enables long battery life. BLE also connects various appliances, sensors, controllers and industrial equipment as part of the Internet of Things.

Gaming
Bluetooth provides lag-free connections between game controllers, handheld consoles to PCs, tablets and virtual reality gear for immersive wireless gaming without line-of-sight requirements.

Should You Buy Bluetooth 5.0?

Some of the biggest perks of Bluetooth 5.0 include:

Data transfer speeds doubled to 2Mbps for quicker file sharing between phones, laptops and tablets.
Quadrupled wireless range to ~800 feet before signal drops. Covers entire homes.
Supports dense networks with thousands of IoT sensors and smart devices.
Changes to reduce frequency interference when operating around WiFi access points.
Advancements allowing devices like fitness bands to operate for over a year without changing batteries.
While the benefits look great on paper, realizing them requires both your devices to support Bluetooth 5.0. If just one lacks compatibility, the pairing drops to 4.x specs.

When purchasing Bluetooth accessories, such as Bluetooth adapters, look for high-quality products from reputable brands to ensure compatibility and reliability. 

ugreen bluetooth adapter

However, if you already own devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 and they meet your current needs, there may not be an immediate need to upgrade to Bluetooth 5.0. Bluetooth 4.0 still provides a reliable and power-efficient connection for many applications.

Conclusion

By understanding the differences between Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0, you can make an informed decision when choosing Bluetooth-enabled devices and accessories, such as those offered by UGREEN. Whether you opt for Bluetooth 4.0 or 5.0, you can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of wireless connectivity in your everyday life.

FAQ about Bluetooth 4.0 vs 5.0

Q: Can Bluetooth 4.0 devices connect to Bluetooth 5.0 devices?

A: Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 is backward compatible with earlier versions of Bluetooth, including Bluetooth 4.0. However, the connection will be limited to the capabilities of the older version.

Q: Are Bluetooth 5.0 devices more expensive than Bluetooth 4.0 devices?

A: The cost difference between Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 devices varies depending on the specific product and manufacturer. While some Bluetooth 5.0 devices may be slightly more expensive due to their enhanced features, the price difference is often minimal and may not be a significant factor in your purchasing decision.

Q: Will Bluetooth 5.0 drain my device's battery faster than Bluetooth 4.0?

A: No, Bluetooth 5.0 has been designed to provide improved power efficiency compared to Bluetooth 4.0. In fact, Bluetooth 5.0 devices may offer better battery life due to their optimized power management features.