It seems that Spotify HiFi—its long-anticipated lossless audio streaming feature—might finally be nearing launch, if recent developments are any indication. The latest leaks from Spotify's desktop app reveal fresh references to lossless audio options, stirring cautious optimism among sound quality enthusiasts.

Reports highlight that the new desktop app version discreetly introduces design elements pointing toward a "Lossless 24-bit" streaming option. Interestingly, this extends to both streaming and download functionalities, with lossless files expected to deliver audio at up to 24-bit/44.1kHz in the FLAC format. However, such fidelity doesn’t come without trade-offs; data consumption may reach up to 1GB per hour of listening, which greatly surpasses current streaming requirements.

The mere presence of the term "lossless" in portions of the app interface and Spotify Connect functionality fuels speculation. These details align with prior whispers of an enhanced tier reportedly dubbed "Music Pro," rumored to offer high-resolution streaming for an additional fee. It's worth noting, however, that Spotify has been mulling this feature for years—having initially teased a HiFi tier back in 2021—only for its debut to face protracted delays.

The competitive landscape has certainly complicated the rollout. Rivals such as Apple Music and Amazon Music have been offering lossless streaming as standard—without charging a premium. This raises questions about Spotify’s pricing strategy, which could make or break the success of this feature. For now, no exact details on cost have surfaced.

While these leaks inspire hope, the journey from beta hints to full-fledged implementation could still face hurdles. Spotify's history of postponements tempers expectations, but if executed properly, this long-overdue move could return Spotify to the conversation with quality-focused listeners.

It seems that Spotify HiFi—its long-anticipated lossless audio streaming feature—might finally be nearing launch, if recent developments are any indication. The latest leaks from Spotify's desktop app reveal fresh references to lossless audio options, stirring cautious optimism among sound quality enthusiasts.

Reports highlight that the new desktop app version discreetly introduces design elements pointing toward a "Lossless 24-bit" streaming option. Interestingly, this extends to both streaming and download functionalities, with lossless files expected to deliver audio at up to 24-bit/44.1kHz in the FLAC format. However, such fidelity doesn’t come without trade-offs; data consumption may reach up to 1GB per hour of listening, which greatly surpasses current streaming requirements.

The mere presence of the term "lossless" in portions of the app interface and Spotify Connect functionality fuels speculation. These details align with prior whispers of an enhanced tier reportedly dubbed "Music Pro," rumored to offer high-resolution streaming for an additional fee. It's worth noting, however, that Spotify has been mulling this feature for years—having initially teased a HiFi tier back in 2021—only for its debut to face protracted delays.

The competitive landscape has certainly complicated the rollout. Rivals such as Apple Music and Amazon Music have been offering lossless streaming as standard—without charging a premium. This raises questions about Spotify’s pricing strategy, which could make or break the success of this feature. For now, no exact details on cost have surfaced.

While these leaks inspire hope, the journey from beta hints to full-fledged implementation could still face hurdles. Spotify's history of postponements tempers expectations, but if executed properly, this long-overdue move could return Spotify to the conversation with quality-focused listeners.