Spotify Gears Up for Hi-Fi Launch as ‘Lossless’ Option Surfaces in App: Report

Spotify appears to be nearing the official rollout of its long-anticipated lossless audio streaming feature. Recent discoveries in the platform’s desktop app code have revealed mentions of a new “Lossless” quality tier, hinting at a launch that could finally materialize after years of delays.

This potential upgrade comes over four years after Spotify initially announced its high-fidelity streaming option, known as Spotify HiFi, in 2021.

Report Reveals Hidden UI Elements

According to a report from 9To5Mac, Spotify’s latest update includes hidden user interface (UI) components that reference the upcoming lossless option. These references appear both in the audio quality settings and in the Spotify Connect section of the app.

The new tier reportedly offers playback at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz using the FLAC format, promising significantly better sound quality than the platform’s standard streaming options. However, this enhanced audio will come with greater data demands — approximately 1GB of data per hour of playback.

History of Spotify’s HiFi Delay

Spotify originally announced its high-fidelity streaming option, branded as Spotify HiFi, in early 2021. The company had promised CD-quality audio to compete with rival services like Apple Music and Tidal.

However, despite the initial hype, Spotify postponed the rollout indefinitely. No clear timeline was shared, leading to ongoing speculation among audiophiles and loyal users eager for better audio quality.

Possible Pricing for New Lossless Tier

Earlier this year, a Bloomberg report indicated that Spotify could introduce the lossless option under a new subscription plan called Music Pro. This plan would not only include higher-quality streaming but may also bundle in other premium features.

The new tier could reportedly cost users an additional $5.99 per month over their existing subscription fees. This pricing would position Spotify’s premium lossless service competitively against other platforms offering similar audio experiences.

Competition in the High-Quality Audio Space

If Spotify launches its lossless tier, it would bring the platform in line with key competitors that already provide high-fidelity streaming. Both Apple Music and Tidal offer lossless audio as part of their standard plans at no extra charge.

This update could help Spotify strengthen its appeal among audiophiles and users with high-end audio equipment, addressing a segment of customers who have long desired better sound quality on the platform.

New Feature: Headphone Enhancement

In addition to the lossless tier, Spotify appears to be developing a feature designed to optimize playback for specific headphones.

Leaked UI strings reference a tool called “Enhance your headphones”, which may fine-tune audio performance based on the make and model of the user’s headphones. This tool is reportedly being tested under the internal codename “puffin” and is expected to be available exclusively to Premium subscribers.

Through an onboarding interface, users may soon be able to check if their headphones are compatible with this enhancement technology.

No Official Launch Date Yet

Despite the exciting discoveries, Spotify has not officially announced a launch date for either the lossless tier or the headphone enhancement feature.

However, the appearance of these features within the app’s backend code suggests that a public release could be approaching. The platform seems poised to finally deliver on its 2021 promise, potentially reshaping its offering in the competitive streaming market.

Instagram and Spotify: Music Sharing Update

In related news, Instagram has expanded its integration with Spotify. The latest update enables users to share the songs they are currently listening to directly through Instagram Notes.

While the Notes feature already allowed music sharing, this enhancement gives users a way to post songs they’re enjoying in real time, providing a more immediate connection between their playlists and social circles.