Apple music vs spotify music quality bluetooth iphone
Apple Music generally offers superior music quality compared to Spotify when streaming over Bluetooth on iPhones, mainly due to its support for lossless and high-resolution audio formats, while Spotify currently streams only high-bitrate lossy audio without a lossless tier available on iOS.
Apple Music uses the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) for lossless streaming and supports Hi-Res Lossless audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, along with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio for immersive sound. In contrast, Spotify streams at a maximum of 320 kbps using the lossy Ogg Vorbis codec and does not yet provide lossless or spatial audio options. However, Bluetooth transmission limitations on iPhones typically prevent lossless quality playback, as iPhones support only AAC, which is a lossy Bluetooth codec, limiting the practical audio quality achievable on most wireless headphones.
Apple Music streams:
Standard AAC at 256 kbps by default.
Lossless Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Experience 3D, immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio compatibility.
Potential to connect external DACs for true lossless wired playback.
Spotify streams:
Ogg Vorbis up to 320 kbps for Premium subscribers (lossy format).
No lossless streaming available at present.
Lacks compatibility with immersive audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos.
Spotify HiFi (lossless tier) has been delayed repeatedly with no clear release date.
Most users listening over Bluetooth on iPhones will experience AAC codec transmission. The Bluetooth AAC codec, while efficient, is lossy, so even Apple's advantage in lossless streaming is limited when using wireless audio on iPhones. Unlocking Apple Music’s full lossless and high‑resolution quality requires wired headphones or an external DAC.
Lossless Streaming Available to Consumers: Apple Music’s launch of lossless and Hi-Res Lossless audio for all subscribers at no extra cost has set a new quality standard in music streaming.
Apple Music stands out with Dolby Atmos‑powered spatial audio and other immersive
formats, delivering a listening experience that goes beyond traditional stereo.
Spotify’s Delay in Lossless Tier: While Spotify promised a HiFi lossless tier years ago, this still remains unavailable, limiting Spotify's audio quality leadership.
Bluetooth Codec Limitations: The Bluetooth codec supported by iPhones (AAC) compresses audio data, preventing lossless transmission wirelessly on common AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones.
External DACs and Wired Playback: Audiophiles can use external digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and wired headphones to bypass Bluetooth limitations and fully utilize Apple Music’s lossless offerings.
Next-generation Codec Support: Although codecs like LDAC support true high-res lossless over Bluetooth, Apple devices do not currently support this codec.
Bluetooth Quality Bottleneck: The primary limitation for enjoying higher-quality streams on iPhones via Bluetooth is the AAC codec used, capping maximum sound quality below lossless even if the source is lossless.
Solution: Using wired headphones or external DACs with the iPhone allows true lossless playback.
Streaming Plan Limitations: Spotify users currently cannot access lossless streaming, waiting potentially for future service updates.
Apple Music is widely accepted as delivering better music quality streaming today due to its lossless options and spatial audio integration.
Spotify's market leadership in user numbers (over 226 million Premium subscribers) contrasts with Apple Music's focus on sound quality, appealing more to audiophiles and Apple ecosystem users.
The difference in Bluetooth playback quality on iPhones between Apple Music and Spotify may be inaudible for casual listeners due to codec constraints, but audiophiles appreciate Apple's richer and fuller sound even over lossy connections.
If you prioritize music quality, especially on iPhones, consider using Apple Music with wired headphones or DACs to unlock lossless and Hi-Res streaming.
For casual Bluetooth listeners, the difference in quality may be negligible, but Apple Music’s AAC stream can still sound better than Spotify’s compressed streams on typical AirPods or Bluetooth speakers.
Stay tuned to Spotify’s potential HiFi launch if you prefer Spotify’s interface or social features but want lossless sound in the future.
Experiment with audio settings in Apple Music (Settings > Music > Audio Quality) to enable lossless streaming and disable quality throttling on cellular.
Use apps and gear compatible with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio to experience enhanced immersive sound on supported Apple Music tracks.
Feature | Apple Music | Spotify |
Default Streaming Format | AAC 256 kbps | Ogg Vorbis up to 320 kbps |
Lossless Streaming | Yes (ALAC up to 24-bit/192kHz) | No (HI-FI delayed indefinitely) |
Spatial Audio Support | Yes (Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio) | No |
Bluetooth Codec over iPhone | AAC (lossy) | AAC/Ogg (lossy) |
Maximum Bluetooth Sound Quality | Limited by AAC codec | Limited by AAC codec |
Best Quality Method on iPhone | Wired or external DAC (lossless) | Wired only (no official lossless) |
Market Share | ~15% (88M+ subscribers) | ~31% (226M+ Premium subscribers) |
User Experience Focus | Audiophile-quality, ecosystem integration | Music discovery, social, podcasts |
Bluetooth audio quality significantly influences your listening experience with Apple Music and Spotify on an iPhone primarily because of the Bluetooth codec used and how each app’s audio is streamed and handled.
Key points on how Bluetooth affects the experience:
Bluetooth on iPhones uses the AAC codec for audio transmission, which is a lossy compression format. This means even if Apple Music streams lossless files (ALAC) or high-resolution audio, the Bluetooth connection itself will compress the sound, limiting the quality to lossy AAC during wireless playback.
Since Apple Music streams in AAC by default, Bluetooth playback on an iPhone involves minimal audio conversion. This tends to preserve more detail and results in a clearer, richer sound compared to Spotify on iPhone Bluetooth, which streams in Ogg Vorbis but must be converted to AAC by the iPhone before transmission. This double conversion can degrade Spotify’s sound quality further, making it sound “muddier” or “boxy” compared to Apple Music.
Because of Bluetooth codec limitations, lossless and Hi-Res audio from Apple Music does not reach your headphones wirelessly; the quality is constrained by AAC transmission. To truly experience lossless or Hi-Res audio, wired connections or external DACs are necessary.
Spatial Audio on Apple Music can still be enjoyed on compatible AirPods and Beats headphones over Bluetooth, adding to the immersive experience even though it’s still AAC compressed.
For most casual listeners using Bluetooth headphones, the difference in quality between Apple Music and Spotify might be subtle or inaudible, but audiophiles and more discerning ears often prefer Apple Music’s audio over Bluetooth because of less conversion and better mastering.
Bluetooth interference, distance, and environmental factors can also affect stability and sound quality, causing stuttering or dropouts, but these issues are independent of the streaming service and more related to Bluetooth signal conditions.
Summary table:
Factor | Effect on Apple Music | Effect on Spotify |
Bluetooth codec on iPhone | Uses AAC (native for Apple Music) | Uses AAC (after conversion from Ogg) |
Streaming format before BT | Lossless ALAC & Hi-Res (wired) | lossy Ogg Vorbis, max 320 kbps |
Sound quality over BT | Better preserved; less quality loss | More quality loss from double conversion |
Support for Spatial Audio | Yes, works over Bluetooth on Apple gear | No |
True lossless over BT | No (limited by AAC codec) | No |
In short, Bluetooth audio quality limits the maximum sound fidelity possible on iPhone for both Apple Music and Spotify due to AAC compression in Bluetooth streaming. However, Apple Music generally sounds better over Bluetooth because it streams natively in AAC, avoiding extra conversions Spotify requires. Enjoying Apple Music’s complete lossless audio quality demands the use of wired playback or an external DAC.
If you're primarily using Bluetooth headphones on iPhone, you will likely notice Apple Music produces a clearer and more detailed sound compared to Spotify, but neither delivers true lossless audio over Bluetooth.
1. Does Bluetooth limit the difference between Apple Music and Spotify audio quality on iPhones?
Yes. Bluetooth on iPhones only supports the AAC codec, which is lossy, so lossless and hi-res formats on Apple Music are degraded over Bluetooth.
2. How can I hear Apple Music’s lossless audio on an iPhone?
Use wired headphones or connect an external DAC to your iPhone via Lightning or USB-C for true lossless playback.
3. Does Spotify deliver poorer audio quality than Apple Music?
Spotify’s max 320 kbps Ogg Vorbis is very good for casual listening but lacks lossless and spatial audio features Apple Music provides.
4. Can you experience Apple Music’s spatial audio when using Bluetooth headphones?
Yes, spatial audio works on compatible AirPods and Beats headphones even over Bluetooth, enhancing the experience beyond stereo.
5. When will Spotify release lossless streaming?
Spotify announced a HiFi tier in 2021 but has not released it yet; no confirmed release date as of 2025.
Apple Music currently leads in overall music quality, supporting lossless and immersive audio formats unavailable on Spotify.
Bluetooth AAC codec on iPhones limits the ability to enjoy Apple Music’s lossless quality over wireless headphones.
Audiophiles should use wired or external DAC solutions to maximize Apple Music’s sound fidelity.
For most users, especially using Bluetooth earbuds or speakers, the quality difference may be minimal but Apple Music usually sounds clearer and fuller.
Spotify remains strong on music discovery, social features, and podcasts but trails in audio quality on iPhones.
What’s your experience with Apple Music or Spotify on iPhone Bluetooth? Have you observed a distinct change in the audio quality? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you found this comparison helpful, please share it and subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on audio technology and music streaming tips. Your feedback helps us deliver better content tailored to your listening needs!
References:
An expert audiophile blog analyzing the sound quality differences between Apple
Music and Spotify, and how various audio equipment influences playback performance.
Apple supports discussion on Bluetooth stability and interference affecting streaming quality.
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