The long wait for Spotify's HiFi tier could be nearly over. Leaked screenshots on Reddit (via Android Authority) show the option of supporting lossless audio, suggesting the feature is nearly ready to roll out.
It also shows a compatibility checker, so you can see whether your device can support the requisite bit rate, along with your connection and bandwidth. Lossless support is shown up to 1411kbps (although 2117kpbs is also mentioned) and 24-bits on limited tracks in the FLAC format. That's quite a jump from the 320kbps currently available.
The screenshots include a lot of advisory information for listeners, including about listening in lossless offline and that listening to it over Bluetooth will degrade the sound quality.
There are also screenshots from the mobile app, which make more mention of the Spotify Connect feature (which lets you play direct from a compatible device rather than routing it via your phone).
Spotify officially announced the HiFi tier in 2021, but it first surfaced as long ago as 2017. Since then we've seen numerous leaks and rumours, while the competition launched their equivalent tiers without much fanfare. To make it worth the wait, Spotify is going to have to do something pretty special.
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