RFBluetooth Classic vs. Bluetooth Smart: Key Differences Explained
bluetooth
ble
bluetooth low energy
wireless technology
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This article breaks down the key differences between Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Smart, helping you understand which technology is better suited for different applications.
- The original Bluetooth specification 4.0 is referred to as Bluetooth Classic.
- The low-energy version, Bluetooth specification 4.1, is known as Bluetooth Smart. It’s also commonly called BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). BLE encompasses the newer Bluetooth versions 4.2 and 5.0.
Here’s a comparison in a table format:
Bluetooth Classic vs. Bluetooth Smart Specifications
| Feature | Bluetooth Classic | Bluetooth Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Version | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.1+ |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Coverage Range | 10 to 100 meters | ~10 meters |
| Throughput | 0.7 to 2.1 Mbps | ~25 Kbps |
| Maximum Nodes | 7 | No limit |
| Latency (Data) | ~2.5 ms | Several ms |
| Latency (Connection) | ~100 ms | <6 ms |
| Target Applications | High throughput, interoperability | Low power consumption, IoT devices |
