Spotify Rolls Out Lossless Streaming In South Africa As Prices Jump Again

South Africans woke up this week to learn that Spotify is giving the app a makeover, adding long-awaited lossless audio. But the excitement was quickly balanced by frustration as the platform confirmed its second price hike in just four months.

The streaming giant has introduced a new set of Premium plans as part of a global rollout in five markets, including South Africa. And while the added features are undeniably appealing, consumers are still feeling the pinch, especially in a year where digital subscription costs keep climbing.

What’s Changing In South Africa

Spotify has replaced its old menu of plans with three new tiers, each offering different levels of sound quality and features.

Premium Lite – R69.99/Month

A single account with audio quality up to 160kbps. This is the most basic tier and will attract users who want ad-free streaming without paying for higher-quality audio.

Premium Standard – R94.99/Month

Streaming and downloads up to 320kbps. Standard is now the new price for individual users, jumping from R69.99 just months after the previous increase.

Premium Platinum – R179.99/Month

A household plan for up to three users under one roof. This tier unlocks Spotify’s biggest new additions:
• 24-bit lossless audio
• An AI DJ
• Smarter playlist creation powered by AI
• Third-party DJ software integration
• Some audiobook features

The Student plan has also climbed from R37.99 to R47.99 per month, though its features mirror the Standard tier.

One notable move is the discontinuation of the Duo plan, which offered a discounted rate for two people living together. This has already sparked irritation among couples and housemates who relied on the shared subscription.

How Spotify Compares To Rivals In SA

This is where the debate gets louder. Both Apple Music and Tidal already offer lossless audio at R69.99 per month. Apple’s family plan is priced at R109.99 per month, far lower than Spotify’s new Platinum tier at R179.99.

For South Africans comparing value, this difference is hard to ignore.

Spotify, however, is banking on its AI features and DJ integration to stand out in a crowded streaming market. Whether that’s enough to keep price-sensitive users loyal remains to be seen.

A Fresh Angle: Is Spotify Testing South Africa’s Loyalty?

South Africa has long been one of Spotify’s most engaged markets, and the company knows it. Many users have built years’ worth of playlists, listening history and personalised recommendations. Leaving the platform feels inconvenient.

That emotional investment might be exactly why Spotify is confident enough to raise prices twice in one year.

Still, the arrival of lossless audio could soften the blow. For serious music lovers, especially those who’ve been clinging to 320kbps files, this is a notable upgrade.

The Bottom Line

Spotify’s latest update gives South Africans better audio quality and smarter AI tools. But the timing of the price hikes means not everyone is celebrating.

Some will stay for the features, others will jump ship to Apple Music or Tidal for affordability. What’s certain is that streaming in South Africa just got a lot more competitive.

{Source:Tech Cental }

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