LHDC codec on Xiaomi: list of supported phones and setup

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just callers, becoming powerful multimedia centers that can meet the needs of even the most demanding audiophiles. One of the key elements that ensure high quality wireless sound is support for advanced codecs, among which LHDC is a leader in data quality. This standard allows you to transfer audio without significant losses, providing depth and detail that is not available to standard codecs like SBC or AAC.

However, the presence of a flagship processor in a smartphone does not guarantee automatic activation of this codec, since Xiaomi implements the technology selectively depending on the series and year of release of the device. Users often have to face a situation where the headphones support the format, but the phone offers only basic settings. In this article, we will discuss which models Xiaomi and Redmi received support for LHDC, how to check the current status and what to do if the desired option is hidden.

It is important to understand that for a bundle to work properly, you need to match two components: the sound source (smartphone) and the receiver (earphones or speakers). Even if your phone is technically capable of decoding the signal, without the appropriate accessory, you will not hear the difference. Below is a detailed compatibility analysis and instructions for activating hidden functions.

What is an LHDC codec and why is it important for sound?

LHDC (Low Latency High Definition Audio Codec) is an audio data encoding standard developed by Savitech. Its main advantage is the ability to transmit high-resolution audio (up to 24 bits/96 kHz) with minimal signal latency. In comparison, the standard SBC codec compresses the data stream aggressively enough to lose high frequencies and detail, while the LHDC retains the original sound wave structure with little artifacter.

In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this codec is often labeled with the Hi-Res Audio Wireless logo, which is a guarantee of quality for the user. The use of this format is especially critical when listening to complex instrumental music, jazz or classics, where the nuances of the sound of each instrument are important.

⚠️ Attention: Activation of the codec LHDC significantly increases the power consumption of the Bluetooth module, which can reduce the battery life of the smartphone on the 10-15% music-playing.

It’s also worth noting that there are several versions of the standard, including LHDC 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, each offering its own improvements in terms of connection stability and bitrate. Xiaomi smartphones of recent years have generally supported current versions, providing backward compatibility with older headphones, albeit with limited functionality.

Full list of Xiaomi smartphones with support for LHDC

Engineers are implementing support for high-quality codecs mainly in the devices of flagship and sub-flagship lines. This is due to the need to use high-quality Bluetooth modules and appropriate software optimization. Owners of budget models of the Redmi Note or Poco M series may face the lack of this feature out of the box.

Below is a table covering the main series of devices where the codec is officially declared or experimentally confirmed, the list can be updated with the release of new MIUI or HyperOS updates, so it is recommended to periodically check your device settings.

Special attention should be paid to the devices of the Xiaomi series 13 and later, which received the Snapdragon Sound certification. This is a comprehensive technology from Qualcomm, which necessarily includes support for LHDC, aptX Adaptive and other advanced formats. If your smartphone has the Snapdragon Sound logo in the characteristics, the probability of having LHDC is 100%.

How to check and enable LHDC in Android settings

To activate high-quality audio, it's not enough to just plug in your headphones. Android can default to choosing the codec with the best compatibility, not the best quality. To force you to switch to LHDC, you need to go to a special developer menu.

First, make sure you have the developer menu activated. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). Once you have a notification that you have become a developer, you can start setting up the audio.

• 🎧 Connect your Bluetooth headphones to your smartphone and wait for pairing to complete.
• 🛠 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → For developers.
• 🔍 Find the Audio section and select Bluetooth Audio Codec.
• 🔄 In the list that opens, select LHDC or LHDC HD.

If the LHDC has lost the sound or wheezed, it means that the current connection is unstable or the headphones do not support the selected bitrate, in which case the system can automatically roll back to the AAC codec. You can also find bitrate settings in this menu, where it is recommended to set the value of 900kbps or 96kHz for maximum quality.

Compatibility issues and lack of codec in the list

It is common for users to find that their phone model formally supports the technology, but the developer menu does not have the right codec, which may be due to regional firmware restrictions, for example, global versions of MIUI sometimes lose some audio codecs due to licensing restrictions or certification features in different countries.

Another reason could be the Bluetooth version of drivers. If you haven't updated in a long time, check for updates at Settings → About Phone. Sometimes LHDC support is added with security patches or major Android updates.

⚠️ Note: Install third-party mods or change system files audio_policy.conf Adding a codec can cause Bluetooth to run unstable and software warranty loss.

In some cases, network resetting helps. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will delete all stored networks and associated devices, but can correct configuration errors that interfere with LHDC.

The Effects of Distance and Interference on LHDC Sound Quality

The high bitrate of the LHDC codec requires a stable data channel. Unlike compressed formats, the data flow is denser, making the connection more sensitive to radio interference. Sources are often running Wi-Fi routers (especially in the 2.4 GHz band), microwave ovens and a large number of other Bluetooth devices in the room.

If you notice that the sound starts to stutter or interrupt when the LHDC is on, try to reduce the distance between the phone and the headphones. The optimal is to find the device within a radius of 3-5 meters without physical barriers. It is also recommended to turn off Wi-Fi while listening to music at maximum quality if you use the 2.4 GHz band.

• 📶 Avoid wearing your phone in the back pocket of your pants if the headphones are in your ears – the person’s body screens the signal.
• 🏙 In places of congestion of people (metro, shopping center) the phone can automatically switch to the codec SBC maintain stability of communication.
• 🔋 Watch the charge of headphones: at a low level of the battery, some models forcibly reduce the bitrate of the transmission.

Adaptive Bitrate technology, introduced in LHDC 4.0 and later, partially solves this problem by dynamically changing the sound quality depending on the reception conditions, but in the face of severe interference, the priority is always to keep the playback continuous, not its quality.

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To check the stability of the connection, run tracks with frequent changes in instruments and rhythm – it is on them that artifacts of compression or loss of data packets are most often heard.

Comparison of LHDC with aptX Adaptive and LDAC

There are several competitors in the wireless audio market, and it's important for Xiaomi users to understand the difference between them: LHDC's main rival is Sony LDAC, which also supports high bit rates. However, LDAC is often criticized for being less stable than LHDC, which is better at communicating in urban settings.

Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive technology, which is found in many Xiaomi smartphones running Snapdragon processors, is a trade-off: It provides good quality and very low latency, but the maximum bitrate is lower than LHDC’s in Hi-Res mode. The choice between them often depends on personal preferences: LHDC will give more details in quiet music, and aptX Adaptive is better suited for video and gaming.

The table below compares the key characteristics of popular codecs for clarity:

The presence of LHDC in Xiaomi smartphones is a significant advantage for those who value sound quality. Despite the dominance of LDAC in the media space, LHDC offers a more balanced approach to the ratio of quality and stability of connection.

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LHDC is the native standard for Xiaomi’s ecosystem and provides better sound quality compared to standard codecs, but requires support from headphones.