It’s quite rare to see a tech firm announce a new feature and then wait over four years for its release, but that’s precisely what has transpired with Spotify’s much-anticipated HiFi feature. Recent updates suggest that it will finally be launched in the coming months as part of a new Music Pro package, aimed at ensuring the platform’s ongoing financial success. Read more here.

However, this wait has turned into quite an extensive saga.

It appears that aggressive strategies from competing firms have significantly hindered the launch of Spotify HiFi, which was expected to be a premium offering beyond the standard subscription. For quite some time, there were no updates from Spotify regarding the status of this feature, leading to frustration among users.

Spotify likely recognized that simply offering higher-bitrate audio streams might not be sufficient to sustain a premium subscription model. Many listeners either can’t perceive the difference between the current lossy audio quality and CD-quality streams or do not possess the audio equipment capable of showcasing such enhancements.

In response, the company is reworking its strategy into a more comprehensive “Music Pro” add-on that will encompass a wide range of features beyond just improved audio quality. The exact offerings are still under discussion; previous reports have hinted at possibilities such as early access to concert tickets and DJ remixing tools. There’s also speculation that this new tier could include performance optimizations tailored for various earbuds and headphone models. Surveys conducted by Spotify have suggested additional features like karaoke capabilities and the option to add extra user accounts to a subscription.

Spotify seems to still be deliberating on the final scope of Music Pro: Bloomberg reported that the company intends to launch the service in stages, gradually introducing new tools and functionalities throughout 2025. The most encouraging sign that Music Pro is moving forward is Spotify’s renewed dialogue about the project. CEO Daniel Ek has mentioned the forthcoming premium tier on multiple occasions, stating it will deliver not only all the standard Spotify features but also enhanced control, superior quality, and additional surprises he has yet to disclose. A few weeks prior, Ek asserted that Spotify plans to “double down on music in 2025.”

When it eventually launches, Music Pro is expected to add an extra $5 to $6 to the current price of a standard Spotify Premium subscription, which starts at $11.99 per month. Personally, I have already switched to Apple Music to ensure I’m getting the highest quality available for my investment. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by Spotify’s ultimate offering and may consider returning once it’s ready. While I no longer miss Spotify Wrapped, it remains the platform where most of my friends enjoy their music. If Spotify can create a compelling package, it’s possible I’d make the switch back — though transitioning from the streamlined Apple Music experience would be a challenging adjustment.