Can nRF52480 (running BT5) Pair Up With First Generation Airpods, which run BT4.2

[MABanak]

Kind associates,

In the development community, I see correspondents speaking to the likelihood of BT5 working with BT4.2 products. 

Word of the First-Generation Apple Airpods (running BT4.2) is a bit elusive.

Supposedly, BT5 will be backward compatible OK, but I am wondering whether it is worth the effort, with no one agreeing to this functionality.

==> Can the nRF52840, running as a BT5.x point, pair up and function with an Apple Airpod running BT4.2 ?

My suspicion is that the pairing sequence would be critical, but that it is still possible.

What can you tell me about this?

Gratefully,

MABanak

[ketiljo]

All old and the majority of the current BT audio streaming devices (except LE Audio or Auracast) are using Bluetooth BD/EDR for the audio transfer. The nRF52840 is a Bluetooth LE only device. So even if you can pair up with the Airpods, you can't transfer any audio.

[MABanak]

Thank you for your generous and timely reply. Your answer contains some surprises. Before I seek clarification, I wish to do some homework before asking anything in follow-up. Please do not close this ticket yet. I promise to respect your time and be succinct when I come back. Most gratefully - MABanak

[MABanak]

Thank you for letting me do some research before tossing up one more question.
Background:
I did not pick the nRF52840 for the system I am working on. I was taken aback to learn that nRF52840 is an LE-only device. The features summary cites Bluetooth Low Energy "Mode", suggesting LE is just one alternate mode, with others perhaps configurable.
The BT4.2 specification gives a general description of LE and BR/EDR systems, with this remark:
"Devices implementing both systems can communicate with other devices implementing both systems as well as devices implementing either system. Some profiles and use cases will be supported by only one of the systems. Therefore, devices implementing both systems have the ability to support the most use cases."

This does suggest that the two systems can co-exist.

==> QUESTION: Does NORDIC have an alternate SOC supporting both LE and BR/EDR systems?

Thanks, again,
MABanak

[ketiljo]

BR/ERD and LE requires two different stacks so you can't directly communicate between two. Here's where a dual stack device comes in, where you can do either BR/EDR or LE. In case you want to cover both, the device has to alternate between the two stacks. 

Nordic are only making LE radios. 

[MABanak]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

An era has ended, and a new one has begun. Let us look ahead to a BT5-LE future!

it's OK if you close this ticket, now.