Support for LHDC in Xiaomi smartphones: the full list and configuration

Modern flagship smartphones have long since ceased to be just a device for calling, becoming powerful multimedia centers capable of playing high-resolution audio. Owners of Xiaomi equipment often wonder how to unlock the potential of their wireless headphones using advanced compression codecs. One of these formats is LHDC (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec), which provides audio transmission with minimal quality losses and delays.

Understanding which phones and models really work with this standard is critical for music fans. Not all devices, even at the top end of the spectrum, have the chipset or software license they need. In this article, we’ll go through the list of compatible devices, the protocol’s technical details, and how to activate hidden features.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the headphones are connected, but the sound is transmitted in the normal quality of SBC. This can be due to both the limitations of the smartphone itself and the wrong settings in the developer menu. Let's study in detail how to check the support of the codec on your device and what to do if the desired format is not displayed in the list of available.

LHDC Technology: What It Is and Why It Is Needed

LHDC is an alternative to Qualcomm’s popular aptX HD codec, offering comparable or even superior audio stream quality.The main advantage is the ability to transmit data at up to 900 kbps, well above standard Bluetooth SBC.This allows you to enjoy music at 24 bits/96 kHz or even 24 bits/192 kHz resolution without tangible compression.

Importantly, the technology requires support from both the transmitter (smartphone) and the receiver (earphones or speakers). If your Xiaomi phone supports LHDC and the headphones do not, the system will automatically switch to a simpler codec, but having both components opens up access to the Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification.

⚠️ Attention: Use of a codec LHDC If you have a poor connection in an area with a lot of interference, the sound can be interrupted, and the system will force you to lower the bitrate or switch to a different location. AAC/SBC.

The developer of the technology is Savitech, which licenses its solutions to various electronics manufacturers. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this codec has become the de facto standard for flagship models of recent years, providing a competitive advantage in sound quality.

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For maximum sound quality, keep your smartphone in your pants or jacket pocket, rather than in your hand, to minimize shielding the antenna signal by your body.

Full list of Xiaomi smartphones with support for LHDC

The only way to determine which phones in the Xiaomi and Redmi lineup support this standard is by knowing the specific models. Support has been introduced gradually, starting with certain series, and often depends on the installed processor and the version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 11, Mi 12, Mi 13 and Mi 14 (all modifications including Pro and Ultra).
• 📱 Xiaomi Series 13T and 14T, and their predecessors with the index "T".
• 📱 Brand smartphones POCO F-series (F2 Pro, F3, F4, F5, F6) and some of the X series models.
• 📱 Separate models of Redmi Note Pro (version 10 Pro)+, 11 Pro+, 12 Pro+, 13 Pro+).

It is worth considering that the budget devices of the Redmi Note series (without the prefix Pro)+) Redmi series of digital models (e.g. Redmi 12, 13) are most often decoded. LHDC. They are usually limited to codecs. AAC or aptX Adaptive.

Here's a table that systematizes the main series and the availability of high-resolution codec support, which will help you quickly navigate when choosing a new device or checking the current one.

How to check and activate codec in settings

Even if your phone technically supports LHDC, it may not be activated by default or hidden in the standard menu.To force it to turn on, go to the hidden settings section for developers. First, make sure you have Developer Mode enabled: go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version or OS Version.

Once the menu is activated, the path to the settings is: Settings → Settings → Developers. This list will look for the Bluetooth-related section. Look for the Bluetooth Audio Codec. When you click on it, you will see a list of available formats.

If the list does not include LHDC, but the headphones are connected, try the following:

1. Turn off the headphones and reconnect them.

2.In the same developer menu, look for Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate and select 48.0 kHz or 96.0 kHz.

3. Make sure that the sound settings in the Mi Music app or third-party player are enabled HD-audio.

⚠️ Attention: Forced codec installation LHDC For headphones that don't support it, it will cause no sound or permanent disconnection.

Comparison of LHDC with AptX HD and AAC

Users often ask which is better: LHDC or aptX HD. Both codecs are High-Resolution and provide a bitrate of about 576-900 kbps. However, LHDC often wins in low-latency scenarios, which is critical for mobile games.

Codec AAC, This is the standard for Apple devices, works at a frequency of up to 256 kbit / s. This is quite enough for streaming services, but for local files in the format FLAC or WAV difference LHDC It will be noticeable on good acoustics. LHDC It transmits more detail in the high frequency range.

It is also worth mentioning the bandwidth of the channel. LHDC requires a stable Bluetooth channel 5.0 and higher. On older versions of Bluetooth (4.2 and below), switching to this codec is physically impossible due to the lack of data channel width.

Compatibility problems and their solution

Despite the stated support, users may run into problems.It is common for a Xiaomi phone to see headphones, but not on the LHDC codec list.This could mean that a particular firmware version has a software bug or Bluetooth driver conflict.

In some cases, clearing the Bluetooth cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Show System Processes → Bluetooth and select Clean. After rebooting the device, try pairing again. Also make sure the headphone firmware is updated to the latest version through the manufacturer's proprietary app.

• 🔧 Update. MIUI/HyperOS until the last available version.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → Connections and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
• 🔧 Check if power saving mode is enabled, which may limit the power of the Bluetooth module.

If nothing helps, perhaps the regional firmware (Global) has a stripped-down codec stack compared to the Chinese (CN) in which enthusiasts sometimes resort to firmware reflashing, but this carries the risk of losing warranty.

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The lack of LHDC in the list of available codecs with connected compatible headphones is most often solved by reconnecting the device or resetting Bluetooth settings.

The effect of codec on autonomy and delay

High-resolution codecs such as LHDC or aptX HD require more intense work on the processor and Bluetooth module, resulting in increased power consumption, and in a real-world scenario, headphones could be reduced by 10 to 15 percent compared to AAC mode.

However, for gamers, another parameter is latency. LHDC LL (Low Latency) is able to reduce latency to 20-30 ms, which makes the sound almost synchronous with the image in games. The standard LHDC HD mode has a large latency focused on music, so for games it is better to switch to the appropriate mode in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: When used actively LHDC In games or when watching high-resolution video, the heat of the smartphone in the antenna area may be higher than normal.

For a regular music listening experience, the difference in autonomy won’t be critical, but if you’re planning a long flight or a non-charged trip, it makes sense to temporarily switch to the AAC codec for battery savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)