aptX HD on Pixel 9a

martinm

Hello, I am thinking about buying a Pixel 9a, but I read from several sources that aptX HD is not supported as a bluetooth audio codec on the Pixel 9a. Apparently, only AAC and LDAC are supported. This is weird as all the other Pixels are said to support aptX HD. Could somebody here who owns both a Pixel 9a as well as a bluetooth audio device that supports aptX HD check which codecs are supported by the Pixel 9a?
I am not sure if this is easily visible in the bluetooth settings, but it should definitely be visible in the developer options when an appropriate bluetooth device is connected.

teezeh

martinm This is weird

If it is true, it is not weird at all: aptX HD costs extra licensing fees, which an OEM might want to omit on a “budget” phone.

TGOS

Yes it is supported
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/15789-aptx-hd-support-pixel-9

martinm

The linked thread only discusses the normal Pixel 9 and Pro version, not the "budget" 9a. The normal Pixel 9 is indeed shown as supporting aptX HD on the commonly known websites for phone specs. Only the 9a is shown as not supporting aptX at all.

silent_muppet

Pixel 9a here.

Just tried it out on my sound bar and it does show the toggle on the device Bluetooth options.

"HD audio: Qualcomm aptX audio"

martinm

Thank you very much. That means that at least standard aptX is supported, which is good news. Does your sound bar support aptX HD? Would be interesting to know if the standard aptX only is a limitation on the side of the phone or the sound bar.