The Future of Wireless Earbuds: Why WiFi is Replacing Bluetooth
WiFi headphones, set to revolutionize wireless technology, have finally become a reality and will soon be available, potentially rendering Bluetooth technology obsolete.
Wireless Earbuds and the High-Quality Streaming Challenge
Music lovers are aware: while wireless earbuds offer convenience, they struggle with high-quality streaming on platforms like Tidal or Qobuz. Indeed, the Bluetooth standard fails to support these lossless high-resolution streams, often resulting in noticeable quality drops.
Qualcomm’s Promise with XPAN Technology
This issue may soon be resolved thanks to Qualcomm and its XPAN technology. According to Android Authority, this technology is expected to be featured in earbuds near you (and likely near me) soon. However, a significant problem remains, leading to frustration and disappointment.
WiFi Earbuds: How Do They Work?
The technology that might make these “miracle” earbuds possible is called XPAN, first announced by Qualcomm in 2023. As with all new tech developments, it required time for testing and implementation in products. Qualcomm has not yet announced a specific release date.
The concept is that a WiFi signal will be able to transmit a 24-bit 96kHz signal to your earbuds, unlike Bluetooth which only manages lossy tracks. According to the promises, you won’t have to choose between low latency and high quality—an exciting prospect.
A Major Problem
Yet, a significant issue persists. For the WiFi standard to work, the earbuds must be equipped with a Qualcomm chip—specifically the S7 Pro chip compatible with XPAN. Additionally, your phone must also have this chip, excluding many users, including myself. Moreover, you need to be connected to the same WiFi network, limiting use to within the home.
Fortunately, it seems that the earbuds will also support Bluetooth, but this may negate the promised technological advance. Regardless, I am eager to see what benefits these earbuds will offer upon their release, and if they will match up to recognized models like Sony’s WH-1000XM5 or Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.