Spotify finally launched lossless audio. But you’ll need to pay extra for it.
The streaming giant quietly rolled out three new premium tiers across five markets. India, Indonesia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa get first access. But the move signals what’s likely coming globally. And it’s not great news for budget-conscious audiophiles.
Three Tiers Replace the Old System
Spotify scrapped its familiar Premium structure. Now you choose between Lite, Standard, and Platinum plans.
The Premium Lite tier starts at ₹139 ($1.57) monthly in India. You get ad-free listening. But audio quality maxes out at 160 kbps. That’s worse than the old Premium plan offered.
Premium Standard costs ₹199 ($2.25) per month. This tier includes offline downloads and 320 kbps audio. Basically, it matches what the previous Premium plan provided.
Then there’s Premium Platinum at ₹299 ($3.37) monthly. This unlocks lossless audio at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality. Plus, it includes two additional account seats for sharing. And you gain access to AI features like the DJ tool and playlist creator.
The Price Hike Nobody Asked For
Here’s where things get messy. Spotify effectively raised prices while cutting features for Indian subscribers.
Previously, the individual Premium plan cost ₹139 ($1.57). That included offline listening and 320 kbps audio. Now that price only gets you the Lite tier with worse audio quality and no offline support.
Want the same features you had before? You’ll pay ₹199 ($2.25) instead. That’s a 43% increase for identical functionality.
Family plans took an even bigger hit. The old Family subscription cost ₹229 ($2.58) for six users. Now account sharing requires the Platinum tier at ₹299 ($3.37). And you only get three total users instead of six.
So Spotify doubled the per-user cost while cutting capacity in half. Not exactly consumer-friendly math.
Lossless Audio Joins the Premium Club
Audiophiles have waited years for Spotify lossless. The company teased it repeatedly since 2021. Competitors like Apple Music and Amazon Music HD already offered high-quality streaming at no extra cost.
Now Spotify finally delivers. But only if you pay premium prices.
The Platinum tier streams tracks at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality. That’s CD-quality audio with noticeably better detail than compressed streams. However, you’ll need decent headphones or speakers to appreciate the difference.
Currently, lossless access exists in over 50 countries at no extra charge for Premium subscribers. But these five test markets reveal Spotify’s likely global strategy. Move lossless behind a paywall. Charge more for features that used to be free or included in base tiers.
AI Features Sweeten the Platinum Deal
The Platinum plan bundles several AI-powered tools. These features have existed in North America and Europe for months. But they’re new to these five markets.
The AI DJ provides commentary between songs. It learns your preferences and suggests tracks while explaining its choices. You can make requests or skip to different moods and genres.
Spotify’s AI playlist creator generates custom mixes based on text prompts. Type “chill study music” or “90s alternative rock workout” and it builds a playlist matching that vibe.
Plus, Platinum users access Spotify’s DJ software integrations. The platform connects with rekordbox, Serato, and djay. Import your library to create professional DJ sets and mixes directly within these apps.
These AI features add value. But for most listeners? They’re nice-to-haves, not must-haves. You’re essentially paying ₹160 ($1.80) extra monthly for lossless audio. The AI tools are just bonus features to justify the price increase.
What Happens to Existing Subscribers
Current Premium subscribers keep their existing plans. Your subscription carries over unchanged. At least for now.
But new subscribers face restricted choices. The old Duo and Family plans no longer accept new sign-ups. You must choose between Lite, Standard, or Platinum.
This creates a two-tier customer base. Legacy subscribers enjoy better value. New users pay more for equivalent or lesser features. That’s bound to frustrate people once they realize the disparity.
Spotify will likely phase out legacy plans eventually. When your subscription comes up for renewal, expect pressure to “upgrade” to the new tier system. That’s how most companies handle these transitions.
The Global Rollout is Coming
These five markets serve as testing grounds. Spotify wants to gauge reaction before expanding globally.
The company already bumped U.S. pricing from $9.99 to $11.99 over two $1 increases in the past two years. Now they’re testing whether subscribers will pay even more for premium features.
If this tier structure succeeds in India and other test markets, expect it everywhere. Apple Music charges $10.99 monthly in the U.S. with lossless included. Spotify could easily charge $14.99 or more for Platinum and still claim competitive pricing based on the AI features.
Most streaming services are hiking prices. Content costs rise. User growth slows in mature markets. So companies squeeze existing subscribers for more revenue.
Who Should Actually Upgrade
The Lite tier makes no sense. Pay the same as the old Premium plan but get worse audio quality? Hard pass.
Standard works if you just want ad-free listening and decent audio quality. You’re essentially paying the current market rate. But it’s frustrating that this costs more than Premium did previously.
Platinum targets serious music lovers who care about audio quality. If you own high-end headphones or speakers, lossless streaming matters. The AI features are bonus perks that might grow on you over time.
But here’s the thing. Most people can’t actually hear the difference between 320 kbps and lossless audio. Blind tests repeatedly show listeners struggle to distinguish between high-quality compressed audio and lossless streams. Unless you have trained ears and premium audio equipment, you’re probably wasting money.
The Real Issue with Music Streaming
Spotify’s tier restructuring exposes the fundamental problem with music streaming economics. Artists barely earn anything. The company struggles to turn consistent profits despite 600+ million users. And subscribers face steadily rising costs.
Something has to give. But instead of negotiating better deals with labels or finding new revenue streams, Spotify just charges users more. They bundle AI features nobody asked for. They lock basic quality improvements behind paywalls. They reduce family plan capacity while raising prices.
That’s not innovation. It’s just extracting more money from existing customers.
Streaming was supposed to democratize music access. Instead, we’re heading toward the same tiered pricing model that plagues every other entertainment industry. Basic access gets progressively worse. Premium tiers cost more each year. And users feel trapped because switching services means losing playlists, recommendations, and music discovery algorithms.
Spotify can afford to test these changes in developing markets first. If subscribers revolt, the damage is contained. If people accept it, the model rolls out globally. Either way, expect your music streaming costs to keep climbing.
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