Which is better SBC or AAC on Android?
An audio codec (coder-decoder) is software that compresses and decompresses digital audio data. Audio codecs are used by Android devices to transmit audio over Bluetooth connections. When pairing Bluetooth devices like headphones, the audio source (such as a smartphone) encodes the audio using a certain codec, while the receiving device decodes it. The choice of audio codec impacts audio quality, battery life, compatibility and other factors.
Understanding Bluetooth audio codecs is important for Android users who care about audio quality and performance. With many Bluetooth codecs to choose from, like SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC, Android allows users some control over the codec their device uses. Choosing the right codec can mean the difference between low audio quality with artifacts and lag, or excellent wireless sound. Later sections will explore SBC and AAC in depth to see how they compare in areas like sound quality, compatibility, efficiency and more.
SBC Audio Codec
The SBC (Low Complexity Subband Coding) audio codec is the default Bluetooth audio codec used on all Android devices (source). SBC has been the mandatory Bluetooth audio codec since Bluetooth 2.1, meaning it is universally supported by all Bluetooth audio devices.
As a low-complexity codec, SBC aims to provide reasonably good audio quality while minimizing power consumption. It uses subband coding to split the audio into different frequency bands which are then encoded separately. This allows SBC to reduce bitrate while maintaining audio quality. The maximum bitrate for SBC is 345 kbps.
A key advantage of SBC is its widespread compatibility and support across devices. Since it’s the default Bluetooth audio codec on Android, SBC will work with all Bluetooth headphones, speakers, car systems, etc. There’s no need to check for codec compatibility when using SBC. The downside is that audio quality may not be as good compared to more advanced codecs.
AAC Audio Codec
AAC, or Advanced Audio Coding, is an audio codec that is widely used in Android devices as an alternative to basic SBC audio. AAC offers improved audio quality by using more advanced compression algorithms compared to SBC.
Some key advantages of AAC include:
- Higher bitrates than SBC, resulting in better quality audio at lower file sizes
- Support for sampling rates up to 96kHz compared to SBC’s limit of 48kHz
- More efficient encoding, allowing improved audio quality at lower bitrates
- Supported by Android natively since version 3.1
One of the most advanced variants of AAC used on Android is xHE-AAC, which stands for Extended High Efficiency AAC. As cited by Netflix, xHE-AAC provides “high-quality audio with low streaming bandwidth requirements” (source). Major streaming services like Netflix use xHE-AAC to deliver surround sound-quality audio at low bitrates on mobile.
Audio Quality Comparison
When it comes to audio quality, AAC generally provides better sound compared to SBC. According to PCMag, AAC has a higher maximum bitrate (250kbps vs 328kbps for AAC) which allows it to carry more data for better audio quality. However, the difference is more noticeable on Apple devices since AAC is optimized for iOS. On Android, some users report that AAC sounds better than SBC but the difference is smaller. According to a Reddit discussion, AAC is “far better” than SBC which is known for its poor sound quality over Bluetooth.
Overall, AAC provides modestly better audio quality compared to SBC on most devices. The difference is more pronounced on Apple products since AAC is their preferred codec. On Android, AAC still sounds better but the gap is smaller. However, both codecs may result in some loss of quality over a wired connection.
Battery Life Impact
When it comes to battery life, SBC has a clear advantage over AAC. SBC is less processor intensive and requires less power to encode and decode the audio signal. This leads to longer battery life compared to using AAC over a Bluetooth connection.
According to a Reddit discussion on the topic, using AAC does impact battery life more than SBC due to the increased amount of data that needs to be decoded [1]. The consensus is that SBC provides longer battery life compared to higher quality codecs like AAC and LDAC.
One analysis noted that AAC’s power usage is small compared to other functions on a smartphone, but it is still noticeably higher than SBC [2]. So while the difference may not be drastic, SBC is the most efficient Bluetooth audio codec in terms of battery drain.
The lower complexity of SBC encoding and decoding directly correlates to lower CPU usage and battery consumption. So if battery life is the priority, SBC is likely the best choice over higher quality codecs like AAC on Android devices.
Device Compatibility
SBC has universal device compatibility across all Bluetooth audio devices. This is because SBC is mandatory for all devices implementing Bluetooth profiles A2DP and AVRCP, which enable audio streaming and remote control capabilities. As the baseline Bluetooth audio codec, SBC ensures baseline compatibility regardless of the device’s make or model.
AAC has broad compatibility across Apple and Android devices. All Apple devices support AAC playback natively, while most modern Android smartphones also support AAC. High-end Android devices from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others typically include hardware AAC decoders. However, compatibility can vary across lower-end Android devices. Compared to SBC, AAC has less universal compatibility but still enjoys mainstream adoption.
Overall, SBC offers guaranteed compatibility across all Bluetooth devices, while AAC provides excellent support across Apple and high-end Android devices. However, AAC compatibility can be inconsistent on lower-end Android models.
Bluetooth Version Support
When it comes to Bluetooth version support, SBC has been supported since Bluetooth 1.1 which was released in 2007. As the mandatory default Bluetooth audio codec, SBC is supported on all Bluetooth devices including speakers, headphones, phones, tablets, TVs, cars, etc. (https://www.soundguys.com/understanding-bluetooth-codecs-15352/).
In contrast, AAC support wasn’t added until Bluetooth 4.0 which was released in 2010. However, even with newer Bluetooth versions, AAC support depends on the device manufacturer as it’s an optional codec while SBC support is required. For example, Apple supports AAC on all their products while most Android devices only added AAC support in the last few years (https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-are-bluetooth-codecs-a-guide-to-everything-from-aac-to-sbc).
Apps and Services
When it comes to apps and services that utilize the different Bluetooth audio codecs, there are some key differences between SBC and AAC:
SBC is the default Bluetooth audio codec that is required for all Bluetooth devices. This means that any app or service that uses Bluetooth audio will be able to use SBC. Some examples include:
- Phone calls
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Amazon Music
- Audible
AAC is supported on both iOS and Android devices, but support varies across apps and services. Some examples of apps/services that can take advantage of AAC include:
- Apple Music
- YouTube Music
- Spotify
- Tidal
- Pandora
So while SBC enjoys wider compatibility across apps, AAC can provide improved audio quality on supported services, especially on iOS devices where it is the default Bluetooth codec.
Which is Better?
When deciding between SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs on Android, the recommendation depends on your specific usage needs:
For most general usage, AAC is considered better than SBC in terms of audio quality. According to PCMag, AAC provides “noticeably better sound” compared to SBC, with improved dynamics and frequency response. Reddit users also report AAC having clearer audio and instrument separation. However, the difference may not be noticeable on some budget devices.
For gaming or latency-sensitive applications, SBC has an advantage. SBC has lower latency than AAC, which can provide a better gaming experience. According to Reddit users, SBC also seems to have fewer audio cutout issues during gaming. However, for non-gaming audio, AAC is still preferred.
For device compatibility, both AAC and SBC are widely supported. However, SBC has a slight edge in compatibility with older Android devices. Virtually all Bluetooth audio devices support SBC, while some older ones may not properly handle AAC.
For battery life, SBC is more efficient than AAC and may provide longer battery life. However, the difference is generally minor and AAC is still considered efficient.
Overall, unless you specifically need lower latency like for competitive gaming, AAC is generally regarded as the better Bluetooth codec on Android. Just be aware of potential compatibility issues on some older devices. Test both SBC and AAC yourself to see if you notice an audio quality difference.
Conclusion
When choosing between SBC and AAC Bluetooth audio codecs on Android devices, it comes down to weighing sound quality against battery life. SBC is the default standard codec that offers universal compatibility across devices. However, AAC provides superior audio quality, especially for compressed music files. The tradeoff is that AAC uses more battery power.
For most casual listeners using Bluetooth headphones or speakers, SBC will provide sufficient audio quality and easier cross-device compatibility. Audiophiles who want the best listening experience may find the sound improvements of AAC worth the battery drain. Consider your own listening habits and preferences.
Ultimately, both SBC and AAC have their merits. If audio quality is your top priority and you don’t mind shorter playback time between charges, AAC is likely the better choice on Android. But for convenience and energy efficiency, SBC remains the default for good reason. Whichever you choose, today’s Bluetooth codecs allow reasonably good wireless audio streaming for on-the-go modern lifestyles.