Google’s VP of engineering, Dave Burke, recently revealed an exciting new audio feature coming to the upcoming Pixel 8 line of phones. According to Burke’s comments on Reddit, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will support lossless audio over USB. This will allow for bit-perfect, uncompressed music playback for Pixel users.
With lossless audio, music moves from your phone to your headphones in its original, uncompressed state. By skipping the typical audio processing pipeline, listeners can experience music as it was meant to be heard. Every subtle detail becomes audible, from individual instruments to barely noticeable vocal strains.
This means your favorite tunes will sound clearer and more true to life. Vocals will be more defined, and nuances often lost in compression will shine through. It’s a major step up in audio quality for Pixel devices. USB lossless support will arrive on the Pixel 8 models via a future software update.
The Pixel 8 series will add support for lossless USB audio in a future later release, according to Dave Burke in response to a comment from a Redditor.
Android 14 added support for lossless audio formats over USB wired headsets. pic.twitter.com/XYPyvIrzrc
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 12, 2023
To take full advantage of lossless playback, wired headphones are required. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity is inherently “lossy” and compresses the audio signal. So audiophiles will need to plug in to get the complete lossless experience. Music services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Tidal already offer lossless streaming.
With Android 14 adding native support for lossless, Burke says it’s now up to phone makers and app developers to implement compatibility. Despite better audio fidelity, some factors may limit demand for lossless. Many listeners don’t care about hearing every musical detail or imperfect vocal.
Lossless streaming also consumes more data. On cellular plans with data limits, increased usage could affect speeds or overage charges. Additionally, lossless audio files take up substantially more storage space on devices. These factors may dissuade more casual listeners.
But for true audio enthusiasts seeking the best quality, lossless support will be a game-changer. The Pixel 8 models will become some of the first mainstream phones capable of bit-perfect playback. It illustrates Google’s commitment to providing premium features catered toward more demanding users. As more devices add lossless capability, it could push the entire mobile audio landscape forward.