No APTXHD Bluetooth codec is a slap in the face to customers

[b0redj0rd]

I'm a long term purchaser of the ULTRA range of Samsung handsets, I have used the s21, 22 and currently use the s23 ultra and would likely have bought the s25 when it is released however there is a huge problem with these devices because of a business decision by Samsung which is designed to trap their customers into using their proprietary earbuds. 

The decision to not include the APTXHD Bluetooth codec is an enormous problem. This codec allows near lossless streaming over Bluetooth and is one of the few standards able to do this. With the removal of the 3.5mm jack from all devices companies such as Samsung are forcing their customers to switch from wired headphones to Bluetooth and as such they should include all available codex options to allow consumers to choose their path in terms of what headphones they use for this purpose - Samsung do not allow this, by only supporting lower bitrate codecs and their proprietary codec (SURPRISE the one Galaxy Buds use) and not having the APTXHD codec they are attempting to force their users to purchase their audio devices when, let's be honest, there are vastly superior options out there for consumers to use. 

I have a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PX8's and a subscription to a high definition streaming service and due to these decisions by Samsung I am not able to get the most out of them. This is unacceptable when the handsets Samsung is producing are high-end and expensive products, and moving forward when the time comes around for me to consider my next upgrade I will factor in the inclusion of the APTXHD (or equivalent HD standard at that time) to my purchasing decision - as a consumer I do not expect the manufacturers of devices to engage in such shady practices and I demand the ability to pick and choose whichever hardware I use to listen to music on any mobile handset without penalty. 

Very disappointing Samsung. 

[the_bart123]

I cannot hear the difference in mp3 128kbps and CD quality and I bet most people are the same - you ask Samsung for Audiophile feature which means 1% people gonna use it

[b0redj0rd]

You're obviously entitled to your opinion Bart, but nearly all streaming services have options for high definition audio now and they have this for a reason - perhaps you don't hear the difference but a lot of people do. A huge amount of money is spent on high-end headphones every year for a reason! You are missing the main point however, Samsung use a chipset in their devices which already comes with these features and it is a business decision to force people to use their earbuds which they've taken to REMOVE the codecs which would enable high fidelity audio on other devices. You may be happy having choice taken away from you by a manufacturer whilst paying £1200+ for a handset, but I want the ability to pick and choose my audio devices.

[JAMES4578]

Currently SBC, AAC, APTx, LDAC and SSC(Samsung scalable code) are supported on premium Samsung Devices.
I understand the demand though I know that a while ago Developer tests revealed a issue with Audio chopping in APTX HD and APTX Adaptive unfortunately not yet been included. The various formats detailed here https://www.whathifi.com/advice/what-are-the-best-bluetooth-codecs-aptx-aac-ldac-and-more-explained Mind you with Bluetooth not really going to get Audiophile quality and the average user not looking for that.

[PlantPot]

While I completely agree with you that the argument of "I can't tell the difference" is totally irrelevant to your point. Those that can't tell don't care and do not need to comment. Like you I can hear it and want the best sound I can get. For that reason I don't use Bluetooth for serious listening. An external DAC and wired headphones are the only sensible option. If Bluetooth is a consideration for convenience then the Galaxy buds are as good as anything IMHO. There is no point in trying to squeeze audiophile sound over a Bluetooth link it doesn't work. I'm a very experienced electronics and comms engineer working in this field.

[19arek93]

Going to S23 Ultra from old Xiaomi with AptX HD I now know why I have so worse audio quality over Bluetooth in car and home Amplifier. 

I will not mention many other thing but audio quality is important for me, and will be ditching Samsung on next phone change, going back to Xiaomi. Xiaomi were no problem phones for me, where with Samsung is "something" on daily basis. 

[GlenCoco1985]

Fact remains it should be a consumer choice and is already available on the SOC so it's firmware based removal not hardware and pathetic at best for them to do this in a flagship phone. 

[XIKO29]

But it's more than possible to hear!

If you said mp3 320kbps vs FLAC 16bit, I would understand since several people can't hear the difference, many because they don't have the knowledge about music, or because they don't have proper hi-fi equipment for that (I'm not pointing my finger to them!), but between 128kbps and cd/hi-res music, only who really doesn't know nothing at all about music, can't hear the difference.

[XIKO29]

I agree with you but I also agree with @b0redj0rd we pay a LOT for smartphones, specially with the Ultra devices, so we should have it.

[v8steve]

As a very long term loyal samsung customer I am very disappointed to loose both the 3.5mm socket and Apt X support which has previously been on my S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 Edge, S8, S10, Note 20 (lost 3.5mm) and now my S23 Ultra (lost both 3.5mm and Apt X). I have also been a loyal tablet (Tab S 8.4 and 10.5, Tab S2, Tab S4, Tab S5e & Tab S8 Ultra), smartwatch (Gear 2, S2, S3, Watch, Watch 4 Classic, Watch 5 Pro, Watch 6 Classic), laptop & TV customer too. Sadly as audio quality is a big importance the lack of 3.5 socket and Apt X imparticularly Apt X Lossless, HD and Adaptive is making it look unlikely that I will consider Samsung devices in the future