Understanding Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.1: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Bluetooth technology has evolved significantly over the years, with each version bringing new features and improvements. If you're curious about the differences between Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.1, this article is for you. We'll explore the key features, improvements, and use cases of both versions, ensuring you can make the most informed decision for your devices.

Overview of Bluetooth Versions

The versions of Bluetooth, such as 4.0 and 5.1, represent the generation of Bluetooth technology. Higher numbers generally indicate more advanced features, improved performance, and better energy efficiency. Let's take a closer look at each version.

Bluetooth 4.0

Introduction: 2010 Key Features: Low Energy (LE): This version introduced Bluetooth Low Energy, allowing devices to communicate with minimal power consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches. Improved Range: While Bluetooth 4.0 devices can have a range similar to previous versions, the Low Energy feature allows for longer battery life without sacrificing connectivity. Data Rate: Up to 25 Mbps in some configurations.

Bluetooth 5.1

Introduction: 2019 Key Features: Enhanced Location Services: Improved positioning capabilities allowing for more precise location tracking, beneficial for navigation and finding devices. Increased Range and Speed: Bluetooth 5.1 can achieve a range of up to 240 meters in open space and offers data transfer speeds of up to 2 Mbps. Improved Broadcast Messaging: Enhanced capabilities for sending messages to multiple devices simultaneously.

Comparing the Two Versions

Let's dive into the differences between Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.1 in terms of key attributes like speed, range, power consumption, message capacity, and compatibility with IoT devices.

Speed

Bluetooth 5 is faster than Bluetooth 4, with a data transfer speed of 2 Mbps, which is twice the speed of Bluetooth 4, which is around 1 Mbps. This is due to Bluetooth 5's 5 Mbps bandwidth in comparison to Bluetooth 4's 2.1 Mbps.

Range

Bluetooth 4 supports a 50-meter indoor range and 10-meter outdoor range, whereas Bluetooth 5 supports a maximum outdoor range of 200 meters and an indoor range of 40 meters. This makes Bluetooth 5 more suitable for environments where you need to move around freely.

Power Requirement

Bluetooth 5 has been designed to use less power on your device compared to Bluetooth 4. This means you can keep your Bluetooth switched on for a longer period and perform more tasks without draining your battery as quickly as with Bluetooth 4.

Message Capacity

Bluetooth 4 has a small message capacity, limited to about 31 bytes, providing only 17 to 20 bytes for actual data payload. In contrast, Bluetooth 5 offers a large capacity of 255 bytes, allowing for more bytes in the data payload.

Bluetooth Beacons

With the increased speed and range, Bluetooth 5 has made beacons more popular in various applications. Meanwhile, Bluetooth 4 was less popular due to its lower speed and range, combined with a limited message capacity.

Support for IoT Devices

Bluetooth 5 easily meets the requirements for IoT devices with its good range and increased speed. In contrast, Bluetooth 4 does not meet these requirements due to its slower speed and shorter working range. This makes Bluetooth 5 ideal for IoT devices, as it allows them to work well and utilize all its features properly, as seen with the new Samsung Galaxy 8 and Galaxy 8 .

Compatibility

Bluetooth 4 works best with devices compatible with version 4 series but will not work with devices that have Bluetooth 5. However, Bluetooth 5 is backward compatible with versions 1, 2, 3, 4, 4.1, and 4.2, though it won't utilize all the features of Bluetooth 5.

In conclusion, the version number represents the generation of Bluetooth technology. Higher numbers indicate more advanced features, improved performance, and better energy efficiency. While Bluetooth 4.0 is ideal for low-energy devices and short-range applications, Bluetooth 5.1 is better suited for broader applications requiring higher speed, greater range, and better power efficiency. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right Bluetooth version for your needs.