What does this mean for Spotify HiFi?
A recent discovery by Reddit user Spotify_Support shows a Dolby Atmos icon on his iPad’s Spotify app interface. Shared on the subreddit r/truespotify, it renewed the excitement (and pessimism) over the delayed addition of Hi-Fi audio on the platform.
Discovery of Dolby Atmos Icon on Spotify
Spotify_Support first reported the Dolby Atmos icon by sharing a screenshot showing the familiar symbol on his Spotify app.
According to the OP, the logo popped up while listening to the latest Bleachers album. He also observed it was visible only on his iPad and not on other devices.
The post spurred theories among commenters. A few suggested the OP might be beta testing a new Dolby Atmos feature for Spotify, noting that the songs mentioned are available in Dolby Atmos on other services.
However, the OP mentioned that he didn’t notice any improvement in sound quality with his AirPods Pro 2. He also said that checking the volume slider in his iPad’s Control Center did not indicate any audio enhancements either.
Conflicting Signs and Competitive Pressure
Many users speculate that the sighting of the Dolby Atmos logo on Spotify hints at the company’s renewed focus on delivering a Hi-Fi plan to its users. It could also signal its intention to offer a more immersive sound experience without necessarily adding a new Hi-Fi tier.
However, Spotify’s slow progress towards Hi-Fi and its canceled “Supremium” plan tell a puzzling story, particularly when their rivals are streamlining subscriptions and making high-quality audio a standard feature.
Some are optimistic that the discovery signals positive changes ahead, though. They hope the added pressure from users and competitors will finally push Spotify to introduce Hi-Fi audio to stay in the game.
But despite Tidal’s plan changes and years of competition from other services, many doubt that Spotify will make significant changes.
Overall, the discussion revolves around the users’ general frustration over Spotify. Many pointed out that the platform has yet to meet its users’ basic expectations, focusing instead on adding podcasts and audiobooks to increase profits.
