Janice R. Andrews
Qualcomm’s newest S3 and S5 Gen 3 Bluetooth chipsets, designed for a variety of audio products including wireless earbuds, headphones, and speakers, represent a big step forward in improving the audio quality of wireless devices. These chips, which prioritize providing excellent audio performance, achieve a significant milestone by adding high-resolution compatibility to Qualcomm’s well-known aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec.
With the newest chipsets, aptX Lossless—which was previously limited to CD-quality audio—has undergone a revolutionary improvement, achieving 24-bit/48kHz. The move to 24/48 represents a significant advancement, even though it may not be able to live up to the exacting standards of die-hard audiophiles. It offers more bit-depth and sampling frequency than traditional CD-quality audio (16-bit/44.1kHz), making it an accessible option for those who are interested in high-resolution audio.
Although the S3/S5 Gen 3 chips are beginning to appear in the market, Qualcomm has not yet revealed any products that use these chipsets. Youfei Wang, general manager of Vivo’s intelligent terminal development division, meanwhile, voiced excitement and said that the world’s first smartphone running on the Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Sound platform will soon be released.
The S3 and S5 Gen 3 chips join the ranks of the previously released S7 and S7 Pro processors, serving different categories of audio equipment. With 24/48 aptX Lossless capability, the S7 chips are still the go-to option for ultra-premium wireless audio devices; on the other hand, the new S5 and S3 chips are designed for premium and mid-tier devices, respectively.
Qualcomm introduces the S3 Gen 3 family, which consists of two separate categories designed for wireless headphones and speakers. These categories include support for hi-res aptX Lossless along with cutting-edge features like Bluetooth Auracast, LE Audio, and Qualcomm Voice and Music Extension.
Conversely, the third-generation S5 chip shows itself to be a flexible solution that supports a wide range of wireless audio devices, such as speakers and earbuds. With Qualcomm’s fourth-generation adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) technology integrated into the S5 processor, it promises an immersive audio experience and is compatible with hi-res aptX Lossless when coupled with a compatible smartphone.
As evidence of the S5 chip’s computing capability, Qualcomm claims a whopping 50-fold improvement in on-device AI and a three-fold boost in compute power over its predecessor, giving manufacturers a strong platform for innovation.
Notwithstanding the fervor surrounding Qualcomm’s technical innovations, it is crucial for customers to take caution. Whether a device is branded as Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound or not, it is important to carefully review the specs to make sure capabilities like hi-res aptX Lossless work with it.
Although Qualcomm makes an effort to aid in product discovery on its website, caution is warranted given the lack of a specific filter for high-resolution aptX Lossless. However, when new items flood the market, one should expect improvements to make the search process more efficient.
With the S3/S5 Gen 3 Bluetooth chipsets, Qualcomm has ushered in a new age of wireless audio quality by integrating hi-res aptX Lossless, offering users an improved auditory experience across a range of devices. Careful attention to product standards is still crucial as innovation develops, as it guarantees flawless compatibility and the best possible experience with cutting-edge audio capabilities.
