Bluetooth 5.0 Vs Bluetooth 4.2: What Is The Difference?

calendarMay 4, 2023 · 6 min read  ·
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Bluetooth is a wireless connection standard that allows for exchange of data over short distances. It’s named after the 10th century Danish King Harald Bluetooth, who united Denmark’s tribes into a single kingdom.

A new version of Bluetooth standard means various improvements, but only when used with compatible peripherals. Before Bluetooth version 4.2 in 2014, the last major version of the standard was all the way back in 2011, Bluetooth 4.0. Now the introduction of Bluetooth version 5 which is configured with improvements that are well beyond what previous standards (Bluetooth 4.0 & 4.2) were capable of. Bluetooth 5 specification has at long last been ratified and therefore, soon everything from mobile phones to beacons will support this new standard.

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth version 5 was released in 2016 and its presence has been steadily growing. It is the latest version of the Bluetooth wireless communication standard.  It offers significant improvements over what came before with 2x the speed, 4x the range and 8x the amount of transferable data. Other improvements include better detection of Wi-Fi and LTE connections, compatibility with older versions and enough bandwidth at 2 Mbps which is double that of Bluetooth 4.2 in order to support two sets of wireless devices at the same time.

What You Need To Know About Bluetooth 5.0

  • Bluetooth version 5.0 has a higher speed when compared to Bluetooth version 4.2. The speed of version 5.0 is about 2 megabits per seconds (Mbps).
  • Bluetooth 5.0 has a large capacity of about 255bytes and therefore, it gives more bytes for actual data payload.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 is backward compatible with v1, v2, v3, v4, v4.1 and version 4.2 but will not utilize all features of Bluetooth 5.
  •  The Bluetooth 5 has been designed to use less power on your device compared to Bluetooth version 4. You can switch on version Bluetooth version 5 for a long period of time and do a lot of stuff.
  • Version 5.0 of Bluetooth supports 200m in line of sight path in outdoor environment and 40m in indoor environment.
  • In version 5.0 of Bluetooth, you can be able to connect to two Bluetooth-enabled devices at the same time.
  • Version 5.0 of Bluetooth easily meets the requirements for IoT devices with its good range and increase in speed.
  • Bluetooth 5 beacon has become more popular due to increased range and speed.
  • Version 5.0 is more reliable when compared to version 4.2.
  • More secure than version 4.2.
  • It is more robust to operate in congested environment.
  • Has a better digital life when compared to version 4.2.

    • Bluetooth 4.2

    Bluetooth version 4.2 was adopted in December 2014. It has a lower speed when compared to version 5.0. The speed of version 4.2 is about 1 megabit per second (Mbps). It is commonly used for wireless headphones and other audio hardware, as well as wireless keyboards, mice and game controllers. It is also used for communication between various smart home and internet of Things (IoT) devices.

    What You Need To Know About Bluetooth 4.2

  • Bluetooth version 4.2 has a lower speed when compared to version 5.0. The speed of version 4.2 is about 1 megabit per second (Mbps).
  • The Bluetooth 4.2 has a small massage capacity of about 31bytes which gives just 17 to 20 bytes for actual data payload.
  • Bluetooth 4.2 works best with devices that are compatible with version 4 series but will not work with devices that have Bluetooth version 5 series.
  • Bluetooth version 4 consumes more power than version 5. You can cannot switch on version 4 for a considerable period of time without running out of battery power.
  • Version 4 of Bluetooth supports 50m in outdoor range and 10m in indoor range.
  • With version 4.2 of Bluetooth, you cannot be able to connect to two Bluetooth-enabled devices at the same time.
  • Bluetooth version 4.2 does not meet the requirements for IoT devices due to its low speed and starting work range.
  • Bluetooth version 4.2 beacon are less popular due to less speed and range as well as low message capacity of 31bytes.
  • Version 4.2 is less reliable when compared to version 5.
  • It is less secure when compared to version 5.
  • Less robust to operate in congested environment.
  • Has a less digital life compared to Bluetooth version 5.0.

    • Difference Between Bluetooth 5.0 And Bluetooth 4.2 In Tabular Form

    BASIS OF COMPARISONBLUETOOTH 5.0BLUETOOTH 4.2
    SpeedBluetooth version 4.2 has a lower speed when compared to version 5.0.  Bluetooth version 5.0 has a higher speed when compared to Bluetooth version 4.2.  
     The speed of version 4.2 is about 1 megabit per second (Mbps).The speed of version 5.0 is about 2 megabits per seconds (Mbps).
    CapacityIt has a large capacity of about 255bytes and therefore, it gives more bytes for actual data payload.  It has a small massage capacity of about 31bytes which gives just 17 to 20 bytes for actual data payload.  
    CompatibilityIt is backward compatible with v1, v2, v3, v4, v4.1 and version 4.2 but will not utilize all features of Bluetooth 5.  It works best with devices that are compatible with version 4 series but will not work with devices that have Bluetooth version 5 series.  
    Power ConsumptionIt has been designed to use less power on your device compared to Bluetooth version 4.Bluetooth version 4 consumes more power than version 5.
    RangeIt supports 200m in line of sight path in outdoor environment and 40m in indoor environment.  It supports 50m in outdoor range and 10m in indoor range.  
    ConnectionYou can be able to connect to two Bluetooth-enabled devices at the same time.  You cannot be able to connect to two Bluetooth-enabled devices at the same time.  
    Requirement For IoTEasily meets the requirements for IoT devices with its good range and increase in speed.  It does not meet the requirements for IoT devices due to its low speed and starting work range.  
    PopularityBluetooth 5 beacon has become more popular due to increased range and speed.  Bluetooth version 4.2 beacon are less popular due to less speed and range as well as low message capacity of 31bytes.  
    ReliabilityIt is more reliable when compared to version 4.2.  It is less reliable when compared to version 5.  
    SecurityMore secure than version 4.2.  It is less secure when compared to version 5.  
    FlexibilityIt is more robust to operate in congested environment.  Less robust to operate in congested environment.  
    Digital LifeHas a better digital life when compared to version 4.2.  Has a less digital life compared to Bluetooth version 5.0.  
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