It comes with a new feature for high-end headphones that audiophiles will like, though!
Spotify promised lossless audio back in 2021, but four years later, it’s still not here.
The good news is, a new code leak shows that Spotify is finally testing out the feature for some users. However, reports say that it’s not as good as what others already offer. And yes, they’re still planning to charge extra for it.
It turns out, after years of delays, Spotify’s version of Hi-Fi is shaping up to be slower, smaller, and more expensive than what competitors already offer.
What the New Code Leak Tells Us
New code uncovered by product designer Chris Messina and shared on Threads reveals Spotify is indeed moving forward with its lossless audio plans; this time with tracks “up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz” in the latest app builds. That’s an upgrade from Spotify’s original 16‑bit/44.1 kHz “CD quality” promise in early 2021.
Leaked strings like “Lossless music, now in premium” suggest Spotify won’t launch a separate Hi‑Fi tier. Instead, lossless streaming will be a paid add-on to Premium, possibly branded as “Music Pro” and costing around an extra $5–6 monthly.
CEO Daniel Ek has repeatedly pointed to licensing hold ups as the reason for delays. In early 2022, he said Spotify was in “constant dialogue” with labels to make Hi‑Fi happen.
The leaked code also includes user-facing wording like “best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.” That makes it clear Spotify sees Bluetooth’s compression as incompatible with lossless streaming.
How Spotify Hi-Fi’s Audio Quality Compares to Rivals
Spotify’s lossless rollout is aiming for a ceiling of 24-bit/44.1kHz. It’s technically an upgrade, but not one that keeps up. Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon Music already stream at up to 24-bit/192kHz, and they don’t charge extra for it.
Apple’s been offering Hi-Res Lossless since 2021. On supported gear, it just kicks in automatically. No toggles, no settings; just better sound, out of the box. Millions of listeners are already hearing more than Spotify even plans to offer.
For casual users, the gap might not matter. But for some, the difference between 44.1kHz to 96kHz (or even 192kHz) is important. Spotify’s new tier will improve things, sure, but it’s still behind.
There’s another snag: connectivity. The leaked code recommends wired playback for the best experience. That’s a polite way of saying Bluetooth won’t cut it. Most Bluetooth codecs compress audio, so even if the stream is lossless, the final output often isn’t.
There’s A New Headphone Feature We Can Expect
The leaked code also points to a new feature called “Optimize for high-end headphones,” which seems designed to improve how Spotify sounds on specific headphones.
Based on the strings found, it looks like users will be able to choose their headphone model from a list, and Spotify will apply a matching EQ preset. These presets may be based on how each headphone is known to sound, with no real-time analysis, just a static correction.
Spotify calls this “patented technology,” but it’s not clear what exactly the patent covers. Without more details, it sounds like basic EQ tuning, similar to what apps like Wavelet or SoundID already offer. It’s a helpful tool, but not cutting-edge.
This kind of static EQ can still make a difference if done well, especially with headphones that have a noticeable bass boost or treble peak. But, if it’s not personalized, it won’t adjust for your ear shape, how the headphones fit, or what’s going on in your environment.
Support at launch also looks limited. Leaked strings mention only “some popular headphones” being fully supported.
Still, we don’t have a lot of information on this new feature, so it’s too early to assume how it’ll work.