Can Android play lossless music?
Lossless audio refers to music files that have not been compressed or altered from their original studio quality. This allows listeners to hear every detail and nuance in the recording just as the artist intended. Lossless files maintain 100% of the original data, resulting in the highest fidelity playback possible.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand from audiophiles and music enthusiasts for access to lossless music. As streaming services and smartphones add support for lossless audio, more consumers are seeking out the pristine sound quality it provides. People want to get the most out of their high-end headphones and speakers by playing back music files that have not lost any information or quality from compression. The improved technical capabilities of devices, combined with the proliferation of lossless streaming options, is fueling this increased interest in an uncompressed listening experience.
Native Android Audio Quality
The default audio codec used by Android is SBC (Subband Coding), which has a bitrate of up to 345kbps. SBC uses lossy compression, meaning some data is discarded during encoding to allow for smaller file sizes. This results in lower audio quality compared to lossless formats like FLAC and ALAC that preserve all the original audio data.
The theoretical maximum bitrate for CD-quality lossless audio is 1,411kbps (16-bit depth x 44.1kHz sampling frequency x 2 channels). So SBC’s maximum bitrate of 345kbps is significantly lower than lossless quality. Listening tests have shown SBC to have “average” or “below average” audio quality compared to other lossy codecs like AAC and aptX.
While SBC provides decent audio for most Bluetooth listening, it lacks the depth, clarity, and detail that audiophiles expect from lossless files. Lossless audio preserves the full dynamic range and nuances of the original recording. So Android’s default SBC codec falls well short of lossless quality.
According to https://www.androidauthority.com/bluetooth-codecs-997074/, SBC audio “lacks subtlety and nuance in the mids and highs.” So listeners who value pristine audio will notice the compressed quality compared to lossless formats.
Android Devices with Lossless Support
When it comes to playing lossless audio, having the right hardware is key. Some Android devices come equipped with high-quality internal DACs (digital-to-analog converters) capable of decoding lossless audio files like FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz or even 32-bit/384kHz.
One of the most well-known examples is LG’s V series phones, which feature ESS Sabre Quad DACs. These provide highly accurate audio reproduction and support for hi-res lossless playback. Other LG phones like the LG G7, LG G8, and LG V50 also have Quad DACs.
The Sony Xperia 1 IV features proprietary audio tuning and an integrated DAC that can handle native 32-bit/384kHz playback. Sony’s Xperia Pro-I goes even further with segment-leading audio hardware.
Other options like the Asus ROG Phone 5 and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra also have high-end built-in DACs capable of playing lossless audio.
Overall, looking for Android phones specifically manufactured with audiophile-level digital-to-analog conversion hardware is key for lossless playback. Brands like LG, Sony, Asus, and Xiaomi tend to lead in this regard.
Streaming Lossless Music
There are a growing number of streaming services that offer lossless audio tiers, providing CD-quality or better audio. Some of the major services with lossless streaming options include:
Tidal
Tidal provides lossless CD-quality audio with its HiFi tier at $9.99/month. They also offer HiFi Plus with Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio for $19.99/month. Many consider Tidal the best service for lossless streaming. (Source)
Amazon Music
Amazon Music offers lossless streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz as part of its Amazon Music HD plan for $9.99/month. This provides better-than-CD-quality audio. (Source)
Apple Music
Apple Music added lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost to its regular $9.99/month individual plan in 2021. (Source)
This allows audiophiles to stream lossless music from major providers at reasonable prices without having to purchase lossless audio files.
Local Lossless Files
Android devices have supported the lossless FLAC audio format for many years. Ever since Android 3.1, which launched in 2011, Android phones and tablets have been able to play back FLAC files locally stored on the device (soundguys.com).
FLAC, which stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, is an open source audio format that compresses audio without losing any information. This allows FLAC files to produce CD-quality audio while taking up less storage space compared to uncompressed formats like WAV.
To play FLAC files stored locally on your Android device, you will need to use an audio player app that supports FLAC. Many Android devices come pre-installed with music apps like Google Play Music which may not support FLAC playback. Instead, you can download a third-party FLAC player like VLC media player, foobar2000, or Musicolet (larkplayer.com).
These dedicated FLAC player apps allow you to easily access and play your library of lossless audio files stored on your Android device’s internal storage or SD card. With the right FLAC-compatible music app, Android users can enjoy studio-quality audio from local FLAC music collections.
External DACs
One way to bypass the internal DAC of an Android device and play lossless audio is by using an external DAC (digital-to-analog converter) connected via USB-C. Many audiophile-focused DACs work seamlessly with Android and allow you to enjoy high-resolution music from services like Tidal and Qobuz or local lossless files.
Some popular USB-C DAC options for Android include the HiBy FC3, iBasso DC05, Fiio Q3, and the Chord Mojo. These compact devices can plug directly into your phone’s USB-C port (with an adapter if needed) and process the digital audio data before sending an analog signal to your headphones. The advanced DAC and amplifier stages in these external DACs can far surpass the audio quality from a phone’s built-in DAC and headphone jack.
Using an external DAC with Android does require a phone that supports USB digital audio out. Many modern Android phones have this capability, but it helps to verify before purchasing a DAC. Enabling developer options and USB audio routing in your Android settings is also often required to allow audio output through the USB-C port.
Bluetooth Audio Codecs
Bluetooth audio quality depends heavily on the codec used. The most common codecs for wireless audio transmission are SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and aptX Adaptive [1]. SBC is the default and lowest quality codec. AAC provides better audio quality than SBC. aptX and aptX HD offer progressively better quality, with aptX HD supporting up to 24-bit/48kHz audio. However, LDAC is one of the highest quality Bluetooth codecs available.
LDAC can transmit at up to 990kbps at 24-bit/96kHz, providing nearly lossless CD-quality wireless audio that rivals wired connections. By comparison, SBC maxes out at 328kbps while AAC reaches just 250kbps [2]. To take full advantage of LDAC, both transmitting and receiving devices must support it. Still, even without full support, LDAC provides better quality than default codecs. Overall, LDAC delivers superior wireless fidelity approaching that of wired listening.
Audio Settings and Apps
Android devices include various settings that allow users to customize and enhance their audio experience. This includes changing sample rates, bit depths, and enabling options like upsampling. For example, in Developer options on Pixel phones, there is an “Audio sample rate” setting to change from 44.1kHz to 48kHz or 96kHz, allowing for higher resolution playback.[1]
There are also many third-party apps on the Play Store that can take advantage of higher resolution audio capabilities. Apps like UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro) and Neutron Music Player can play high-res formats up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution. They also include features like customizable digital-to-analog filters, EQs, channel balance, and gapless playback.[2][3]
Equalizer apps like Equalizer FX provide additional ways to enhance audio by adjusting frequency levels. This allows users to customize the sound profile to their preferences. There are also upsampling apps like SRC Enhancer that can convert lower bitrate audio to 16-bit/44.1kHz.[4][5]
By leveraging both system settings and third-party apps, Android users have many options to take full advantage of high-resolution playback from their devices.
Summary
Android has come a long way in supporting lossless audio playback. Starting with Android 10, the core audio subsystem enabled devices to play back lossless formats like FLAC, ALAC, and more. Further improvements in Android 11 and 12 expanded device support and playback quality. However, lossless support still varies across different Android phones. Devices with high-end DACs and amplifiers tend to provide the best lossless playback experience.
Streaming services like Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, and Spotify now enable lossless streaming on Android devices. You can also play local lossless files stored on your device. Using the right apps and settings is key to enabling lossless playback. External DACs can further enhance audio quality when paired with an Android phone.
While native Android lossless support has improved, certain limitations remain. Bluetooth audio quality is still compressed despite new lossless codecs. Not all apps properly leverage Android’s audio APIs for bit-perfect output. And headphones or speakers ultimately determine how faithfully the lossless audio gets reproduced. Overall, Android offers a strong foundation for lossless music but end-to-end quality depends on multiple factors.
The Future
Lossless audio support on Android is likely to continue improving in the future through both software updates and new hardware releases. The Pixel 8 series receiving lossless support in an upcoming update shows Google’s commitment to enhancing audio quality on their devices [1]. As more premium Android smartphones add lossless capabilities, it will push other manufacturers to follow suit and provide the same level of audio fidelity for their users.
On the software side, future versions of Android could add native support for lossless codecs like FLAC, ALAC, etc. This would allow any music player app to tap into lossless playback through the OS audio architecture. Additionally, Bluetooth audio codecs will continue advancing, with LC3 recently introduced as a next-gen lossless standard [2]. Finally, external DACs and amps will provide even higher quality options for discerning listeners wanting studio-grade performance.