The first step: a forced upgrade of the technical benchmark.
After January 1, 2026, all new BQB certification applications must comply with the Bluetooth 5.4 core specification . The SIG no longer accepts new certification applications for Bluetooth 5.3 and older versions. If the core hardware has been modified, the Bluetooth main control chip replaced, or the RF circuitry adjusted, recertification according to 5.4 is required.
Even more alarming is the standard for determining "major changes." One customer simply switched antenna suppliers with the same parameters, but the SIG audit deemed it a "radio frequency circuit adjustment," requiring a complete recertification process . This means that for products that have chosen the wrong module solution, every subsequent hardware tweak could trigger costly recertification.
The second blow: LE Audio has gone from being a "bonus" to a "must-have".
Previously, LE Audio was an optional "bonus feature". Starting in 2026, as long as a product uses a chip with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher and the hardware supports LE Audio, regardless of whether the firmware enables the feature, all three core protocols —BAP (Broadcast Audio Profile), CAP (Audio Control Profile), and LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) —must be tested.
The SIG's official TCRL pkg103 clearly defines this. The LC3 codec can provide higher audio quality at a lower bit rate and reduce power consumption by about 50% compared to traditional Bluetooth audio, but on the condition that it passes the full set of LE Audio tests; missing even one test result will disqualify it .
The third measure: tightening certification fees and pathways across the board.
Full Bluetooth certification (non-listing method) has a single certification administration fee of up to $12,000 . If the product has multiple derivative models and the hardware/firmware (affecting the Bluetooth part) is different, an additional listing fee of $8,000 is required for each model.
The core logic of the new regulations is that using certified modules through the QDL (Qualified Design List) route can significantly save certification costs and time. The QDL route allows end products to directly reference the QDID (Bluetooth Qualification ID) already obtained by the module, exempting them from numerous repetitive tests. Conversely, if the module itself has not completed 5.4+LE Audio certification, end customers will have to bear the full certification cost starting at $12,000 .
The sheer volume of Bluetooth device shipments determines the scope of the new regulations. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) predicts that global Bluetooth device shipments will approach 6 billion units in 2026 and exceed 8 billion units in 2030. From 2025 to 2050, the average annual growth rate is projected to be approximately 8.4% .
Under the new regulations, every product line—from TWS earphones and smart speakers to in-vehicle Bluetooth devices—must pass LE Audio testing if it involves Bluetooth audio functionality . Failure to pass will prevent the promotion of high-definition audio features . Furthermore, the mandatory implementation of the Bluetooth 5.4 core specification necessitates that all new products select Bluetooth modules that are compatible from the outset.
Shenzhen Aufexin Technology Co., Ltd. has taken the lead in completing the product layout of modules that meet the core specifications of Bluetooth 5.4 and LE Audio . The following products fully support the core technical requirements of the new BQB certification regulations in 2026:
Wuqi Chip Solution - Bluetooth 5.4 + LE Audio Layout
O9201PM – Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 dual-mode module, PCIe interface
The O9201PM is a dual-mode chip solution supporting 2×2 2.4G+5G dual-band concurrent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth functionality. The Bluetooth subsystem supports Bluetooth Core Specification 5.4 and features Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) capabilities. It is fully compatible with the Bluetooth 5.4 protocol, supports BT/BLE dual-mode and BLE audio, and supports BR/EDR/LE-1M/LE-2M/LE-500k/LE-125k modulation modes. Typical application scenarios include smart speakers, Bluetooth audio devices, smart home gateways, and AIoT terminals—products with dual requirements for audio quality and wireless connectivity.
O9201SB – Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 dual-mode module, SDIO interface
The O9201SB is a highly integrated module supporting 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 , and dual-band simultaneous (DBS) operation at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, with a maximum speed of 1200Mbps . Measuring only 13×15mm , it features an SDIO 3.0 interface and integrates five high-performance RISC-V CPUs and a rich set of peripheral interfaces (UART, SPI, I2S, I2C, and GPIO, etc.). The Bluetooth module supports BR/EDR/LE-1M/LE-2M/LE-500k/LE-125k modulation modes. It is widely used in set-top boxes, industrial control computers, and wireless access points , and has already achieved mass production shipments in multiple China Mobile set-top boxes.
O9201UB – Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 dual-mode module, USB interface
The O9201UB is also a dual-mode chip solution, supporting 2×2 2.4G+5G dual-band concurrent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth functionality. The Bluetooth subsystem supports Bluetooth Core Specification 5.4 and features low-power audio capabilities. It boasts an ultra-compact 13×15mm size and a USB interface design. It is suitable for scenarios with specific size and interface requirements, such as set-top boxes, smart projectors, USB Wi-Fi adapters, and industrial handheld terminals.
O9101SA – Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 dual-mode module, SDIO interface
The O9101SA is a highly integrated module that supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 , and supports dual-band simultaneous (DBS) operation at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, with 5G speeds up to 886Mbps . Measuring only 12×12mm , it features an SDIO 3.0 interface and integrates five high-performance RISC-V CPUs. It supports BT/BLE dual-mode operation and uplink/downlink MU-OFDMA and MU-MIMO. It is suitable for IoT products with extremely limited space, such as smart locks, smart sensors, wearable devices, and portable medical devices.
O9101UE – Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 module, ultra-compact size
The O9101UE is a highly integrated module that supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 . Measuring only 13×12.2mm , it supports both BT and BLE dual-mode operation. It is suitable for IoT products with extremely limited space, such as smart locks, smart sensors, wearable devices, and portable medical devices.
In response to the new BQB certification regulations, the selection of Bluetooth modules must follow three principles:
Bluetooth version 5.4 or higher is required. All new applications submitted from 2026 onwards must comply with the Bluetooth 5.4 specification. Choosing a module with Bluetooth version 5.3 or lower means the product will face a "no certification" dilemma from the outset.
LE Audio support must be confirmed. As long as the hardware supports LE Audio, regardless of whether the feature is enabled in the firmware, the full suite of BAP, CAP, and LC3 tests will be required. When selecting a module, ensure that the module solution has completed LE Audio protocol stack adaptation and RF verification.
The QDL certification path is mandatory. The full certification fee of $12,000 is a significant sum for any product team. Choosing a module solution that is already Bluetooth 5.4+LE Audio certified and referencing the module's QDID via the QDL path can significantly reduce certification costs and time .
The 2026 Bluetooth BQB certification regulations will introduce a three-pronged approach: mandatory Bluetooth 5.4 benchmark, mandatory LE Audio, and high certification fees . This is not a gradual adjustment, but a structural reshaping.
For engineers and product managers developing Bluetooth products, module selection is no longer just a trade-off between "performance, power consumption, and cost," but must now include a fourth dimension—certification and compliance . Choosing the wrong module can, at best, delay the time-to-market, and at worst, trigger recertification fees of up to $12,000.
Shenzhen Oufengxin Technology Co., Ltd. , with its full range of Bluetooth 5.4+LE Audio products including O9201PM, O9201SB, O9201UB, O9101SA, and O9101UE , as well as full-process technical support from module selection to certification path planning, is committed to helping customers overcome the threshold of the new BQB certification regulations in 2026 with the lowest compliance cost.
