Spotify Finally Launching Lossless Audio Tier for iPhone

After four years of waiting, Spotify’s lossless audio tier is finally coming to iPhone. New code discovered in the latest iOS beta app confirms the streaming giant is preparing to launch high-quality audio with 24-bit/44.1 kHz format, competing directly with Apple Music’s offering.

Spotify’s Long-Awaited Hi-Fi Features

The leaked code reveals Spotify will offer lossless audio for both streaming and offline downloads on iPhone. The service promises “the best sound quality on Spotify” with studio-quality audio that preserves all original recording data.

This development comes after Spotify first announced Hi-Fi plans in 2021, the same year Apple Music introduced lossless audio at no additional cost. The delay has been costly for Spotify, allowing competitors to establish dominance in the high-quality audio space.

How Spotify Compares to Apple Music

Unlike Apple Music, which offers lossless audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz for free, Spotify will charge an additional $5.99 monthly for its Music Pro tier. This premium subscription will include lossless audio, remixing tools, and exclusive concert ticket access.

The timing puts Spotify at a disadvantage, as Apple Music subscribers have enjoyed lossless quality for years without extra fees. However, Spotify’s massive user base and superior recommendation algorithms could still make the premium tier attractive to audiophiles.

Code analysis by TechCrunch and The Verge revealed similar references across Spotify’s desktop and web applications, suggesting a coordinated rollout across all platforms.

For iPhone users who’ve been waiting for Spotify to match Apple Music’s audio quality, this announcement represents a significant milestone in the streaming wars. The question remains whether users will pay extra for features competitors offer for free.

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