This is great news for devices that need to transmit bursts of large amounts of data (like a firmware update) or for data-hungry applications like audio or video. In other words, the new Bluetooth version offers two interfaces for low energy operation: one to transmit less data over much longer distances, and one to transmit twice the data over a shorter range. This new physical layer (PHY) supports speeds of up to 2 megabits per second and higher transmission power of +20dB in low energy mode.
In addition to the capability to sacrifice bandwidth for greatly extended range, Bluetooth 5 adds a new interface to double bandwidth at the expense of power. But it’s perfect for many Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which often transmit small amounts of data but need to reach all over a house or a large store. Developers have to consciously choose to sacrifice total bandwidth for range. You won’t get that kind of range all the time on all devices, mind you.
