The service will provide high-fidelity audio playback and a broader selection of audiobooks for users to enjoy.
After a two-year wait since its initial announcement, Spotify is reportedly gearing up to release its highly anticipated Spotify HiFi in 2023, bundled as part of a new subscription tier called ‘Supremium.’ According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the internally-dubbed Supremium plan could be introduced in the coming months, offering users the opportunity to enjoy CD-quality audio and expanded access to audiobooks for a slightly higher monthly fee.
Under the new subscription model, current Spotify Premium subscribers may receive a limited number of audiobooks per month or a restricted number of listening hours. In contrast, users on Spotify’s Supremium tier will enjoy enhanced access to audiobooks, although specific details about this expanded offering remain somewhat vague.
The report suggests that Spotify HiFi will initially be rolled out in non-US markets, indicating a strategic approach to its international audience. The service was first announced by Spotify back in February 2021, but the company has since maintained a relatively low profile, especially after Apple Music and Amazon Music introduced their own lossless listening and spatial audio offerings. Notably, Apple Music included these features at no additional cost to its subscribers.
In March 2023, Spotify’s co-president, Gustav Söderström, acknowledged in an interview with tech publication The Verge that Spotify HiFi has been ready for release for over a year. Söderström stated that Spotify employees already have access to the service and reassured listeners that the company intends to launch it in a way that aligns with their needs and expectations. He also acknowledged the impact of Apple Music and Amazon Music’s announcements, which prompted Spotify to adapt its strategy accordingly.
While Spotify prepares to introduce Spotify HiFi, the platform has been actively expanding its feature set in other areas. Notably, it has leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) with the introduction of several AI-assisted tools. One such feature, Spotify DJ, developed in collaboration with OpenAI, creates personalized music playlists based on the listener’s mood or preferred genre. It even includes a voice model of a DJ that provides commentary between tracks. Additionally, Spotify recently began rolling out its AI artwork function, which analyzes users’ playlists and generates custom artwork based on the music they listen to. As Spotify gears up for the release of Spotify HiFi and continues to innovate with AI-driven features, music enthusiasts can look forward to an enhanced audio experience and a more personalized approach to their music discovery journey.