Spotify‘s long-awaited lossless audio tier launched on February 22, 2024, but teh rollout is proving frustrating for many users due to device limitations and a tiered subscription structure. While audiophiles celebrate the availability of CD-quality audio,the feature isn’t universally accessible,requiring a Spotify Premium subscriber and a compatible device-leaving a significant portion of the platform’s 226 million Premium users unable to experience the upgrade.
The introduction of lossless audio marks a significant shift for spotify, bringing it in line with competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal who already offer high-fidelity streaming. Though,Spotify’s implementation,coupled with a planned HiFi tier slated for later in 2024,raises questions about convenience and value for its user base. The current lossless option is only available on select devices and platforms, and the forthcoming HiFi plan will reportedly come with an additional cost, perhaps creating a fragmented and expensive listening experience.
currently, lossless audio is available on desktop, web player, and select mobile devices-specifically, iOS. Android users are still waiting for the feature, with Spotify stating it will arrive “soon.” Even on supported platforms,users have reported issues with battery drain and increased data consumption when streaming in lossless quality.
Spotify has confirmed that the hifi tier, offering even higher quality audio, will be introduced later in 2024, but details regarding pricing and availability remain scarce. this two-tiered approach-lossless included in Premium, and HiFi as a separate, pricier subscription-differentiates Spotify from some competitors who bundle high-fidelity streaming into their standard premium plans. The company has not disclosed how much the HiFi tier will cost, but industry analysts predict it will add several dollars to the existing $10.99/month Premium price.
