The Google Pixel 8 already presents some substantial enhancements over its predecessor, however now the latest Google-made smartphone is about to get lossless audio. Sadly, it would solely be lossless USB audio, so your trusty Pixel Buds Professional received’t be capable of make the most of it.
The function will seem on each the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional, permitting customers to hearken to music in uncompressed readability. Google’s vp of engineering, Dave Burke, confirmed the information in an AMA (ask me something) on Reddit, and he says that it will likely be out there in a future replace to the Pixel. It’ll additionally turn out to be out there on different Android smartphones, too, ought to these producers allow it.
Whereas there isn’t any mounted launch date of when to anticipate lossless audio on the Pixel 8, it will likely be made out there as a part of Android 14, which is why we’ll additionally see help prolonged past the Pixel collection to different telephones operating that working system. As I famous above, it will all be based mostly on USB connections.
Meaning you’ll want to make use of a wired headset with a purpose to make the most of the lossless audio function on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. That isn’t precisely nice information, as most individuals depend on the comfort of wi-fi earbuds to hearken to music from their telephones. Not solely are they extra handy, however they’re additionally much less susceptible to getting caught on issues as a result of they don’t have any wires.
The brand new function will reportedly work by bypassing the audio mixer within the telephone, which is what often processes it and compresses it. When utilized, it’ll present what Burke calls “bit excellent audio,” which suggests it is possible for you to to listen to the complete readability of the sound with none exterior compression – because it was supposed.
Lossless audio has been an enormous contender within the music recreation for a couple of years now, with providers like Tidal providing it for a premium month-to-month subscription. Now, although, you’ll quickly be capable of make the most of lossless audio on the Pixel 8, as long as you utilize a wired headset.
