There has been a lot of debate about how exactly Spotify will offer its long-awaited lossless audio support. It was initially thought in April that the format would have been part of the Music Pro feature. Then in May, a leak suggested that high-resolution audio would be offered through an entirely new subscription plan. Now, we're learning that Spotify HiFi may no longer be a standalone tier as previously theorized. Instead, it will be an add-on to the standard plan. This information comes from an anonymous source who recently told Bloomberg the information.
In a recent report, Bloomberg claims that the platform will charge users an additional $5 per month to get access to lossless audio. This information comes approximately a week after Spotify announced that it will increase the cost of the Premium Plan in the United States to $11.99 per month. If the source is correct, you will pay $16.99 per month to enjoy the high-resolution format with a single subscription. This may surprise some because the “code discovered in September 2023” said that the company planned to launch its new HiFi level and charge $20 for it.
Bloomberg's source did not explain why Spotify is considering the additional approach. 9To5Google theorizes that it could be a way for the platform to introduce the HiFi level but without having to charge $20 for it. Although as we have seen recently, they have no qualms about increasing prices; Especially for the second time in less than a year.
Notable Features
Bloomberg's source goes on to say that there will also be “new tools for creating playlists.” Based on the report description, it appears that these functions run on AI. One of them is said to offer users the ability to “instantly generate personalized playlists for certain activities, dates and times of year.” The other would see the app learn your listening habits to create song collections “without [direct] incitement.” The report alludes to better management of the song library, however Bloomberg does not really explain what these changes are.
There's no word yet on when Spotify HiFi will launch in the US, but given that 2024 has already seen multiple leaks about the service, an official launch could be just around the corner. International availability is also unknown. The Premium plan with lossless audio add-on could cost £15.99 and AU$17.99 AUD in their respective regions. Of course, that assumes prices stay the same, but Spotify may also plan to raise prices outside the US.
As always, take leak information with a grain of salt. And be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Bluetooth speakers for 2024 if you're looking for a great way to enjoy music.
