Spotify still plans to offer HiFi, with a unique approach.

Spotify still plans to offer HiFi, with a unique approach: Despite the long wait, Spotify HiFi is still on the horizon. Co-president Gustav Söderström recently confirmed in an interview with TheVerge’s podcast, Decoder, that the platform is still working on the high-res audio tier.

Söderström explained that the delay was due to the need to adapt to a changing industry, as well as negotiating deals with music labels and figuring out the cost of HiFi. However, he reassured listeners that Spotify wants to do something “unique” with HiFi and not “unnecessarily commoditize” itself by “[doing] what everyone else does”.

Although the launch date for Spotify HiFi is still unknown, Söderström stated that there will be a “Spotify HiFi lossless-type experience at some point” in the future. While some users may be frustrated with the wait, it’s important to note that Spotify has been focusing on other areas of the platform, such as its podcast content and audiobook feed, which now has a new preview feature allowing users to listen to a book for five minutes before purchasing.

It’s clear that Spotify wants to grow its media library and provide unique experiences for its users, rather than just offering a standard HiFi service. This aligns with the platform’s recent moves, such as rolling out a redesign for its mobile app that takes inspiration from TikTok and incorporating OpenAI technology into its new DJ feature to simulate a real-life radio DJ. While some users may not be interested in these features, it’s clear that Spotify is trying to offer something different from its competitors.

For those who can’t wait for Spotify HiFi, there are still ways to get high-res audio with the right set of devices. TechRadar has a guide on how to buy into high-res audio without breaking the bank. As for Spotify HiFi, we’ll have to wait and see what unique offering the platform has in store for us.