Spotify Launches Premium Platinum with Lossless Audio
▼ Summary
– Spotify is introducing three new premium tiers (Lite, Standard, Platinum) in India, Indonesia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
– The Lite plan offers ad-free listening at 160kbps, Standard adds offline support and 320kbps audio, while Platinum includes lossless audio and account sharing.
– Platinum subscribers gain access to AI features including the DJ commentary tool and AI-powered playlist creation.
– New subscribers must choose from the new plans and cannot select previous Duo or Family plans, with existing accounts automatically transitioning.
– This marks the first availability of some premium features like lossless audio and AI tools in these five markets.
Spotify is expanding its service lineup with three new subscription options: Premium Lite, Premium Standard, and Premium Platinum. These tiers are now available in India, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, offering a more tailored approach to music streaming. Previously, customers in India could choose from Premium Standard, Duo, and Family plans, which included perks like ad-free listening, offline downloads, and enhanced audio quality. The new structure reorganizes these features across different price points to better match user needs.
The Premium Lite plan costs ₹139 per month and provides ad-free streaming with 160kbps audio quality. For ₹199 per month, the Premium Standard plan steps up with offline listening support and 320kbps audio. At the top end, the Premium Platinum plan is priced at ₹299 monthly, delivering access to Spotify’s new Lossless audio tier along with two additional seats for account sharing.
Subscribers to the Platinum tier also gain entry to Spotify’s AI DJ, which offers song commentary and allows user requests. This plan includes the AI-driven playlist creation tool as well. Earlier this year, Spotify revealed integrations with DJ software such as rekordbox, Serato, and djay, enabling users to import their music libraries for creating mixes, a feature Platinum members can now utilize.
While these capabilities have been available in regions like North America and Europe, this rollout marks the first time listeners in the five target countries can experience them. Industry watchers have long speculated about a “super premium” plan featuring lossless audio. Although currently limited to specific markets, there is potential for a broader global release, positioning lossless streaming within the highest subscription level. Presently, Premium users in over 50 countries can stream tracks in 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality.
Existing Spotify subscribers will see their current plans continue without interruption. New customers, however, will not have access to the older Duo or Family plans and must select from the updated offerings. In India, the shift brings higher prices for new subscribers alongside reduced benefits compared to earlier Premium options. The former Standard individual plan, priced at ₹139 monthly, now aligns with the Lite tier. The Family plan, previously ₹229 for six users, is no longer available to new joiners. Account sharing is exclusively offered through the Platinum plan at ₹299, accommodating three users. Listeners uninterested in lossless audio or AI tools now face fewer choices.
Spotify has adjusted its pricing in other territories too. Over the past two years, U.S. subscribers saw two separate $1 increases, raising the monthly cost from $9.99 to $11.99.
(Source: TechCrunch)
