Spotify HiFi Subscription: Release Date, Price & Details

In 2021, Spotify made an exciting announcement about introducing a new HiFi subscription tier to provide higher quality audio, a feature that many customers had been eagerly anticipating. However, the launch of this feature was delayed indefinitely.

After a long period of silence, recent rumors have started circulating regarding the release of the new plan. According to Bloomberg, the HiFi subscription is expected to be rolled out later this year. It is rumored to be available as an add-on for current users, costing an additional $5 per month. This add-on will not only offer improved audio quality but also introduce new tools and features for playlist creation and library management.

Spotify recently raised its prices in the US and UK, a common strategy used by streaming services before introducing significant changes or new features, as seen with services like Max, Disney+, and Netflix.

Users who opt for the Spotify Premium subscription with the lossless audio add-on will be charged £16.99/$16.99 per month. This pricing places Spotify higher than competitors like Deezer and Tidal, which charge £11.99/$11.99 and £10.99/$10.99 respectively.

It is still unclear whether the HiFi add-on will be accessible to users on the free Spotify plan, which is supported by ads.

The initial announcement indicated that “Premium subscribers in select markets” would have the option to upgrade their sound quality, with a focus likely on major countries such as the UK and the US.

Spotify HiFi has been highly anticipated, especially since many rival music streaming services already offer a similar subscription tier with enhanced audio quality. Some services even provide Hi-Res audio up to 24bit/192kHz, surpassing CD quality (16bit/44kHz).

Prior to the introduction of HiFi, Spotify’s highest quality audio was 320kbps compressed through the Premium subscription. The HiFi offering will provide CD-quality, lossless audio format that can be enjoyed on compatible devices and Spotify Connect-enabled speakers.

While the compatibility of speakers with Spotify HiFi is yet to be revealed, Spotify mentioned in 2021 that they were collaborating with leading speaker manufacturers to ensure widespread accessibility through Spotify Connect.

“High quality audio is crucial as it captures more details that may be missed with a subpar sound system. It’s essential for us as music creators to have our work heard as intended,” emphasized Billie Eilish during the initial announcement.