Apple has begun implementing a new wireless audio technology called SPR AVS (Spatial Relay Audio-Visual Sync), reportedly included in the latest iPhone 17 series and AirPods Pro 3. This development, if fully realized, could address long-standing limitations for Apple users who have been unable to enjoy true lossless audio wirelessly on AirPods—an issue even Apple’s highest-tier AirPods Max could only sidestep through a wired connection.
SPR AVS: How It Works and What It Promises
SPR AVS is designed to deliver high-quality, low-latency, and high-bandwidth communication between Apple devices, directly targeting shortcomings of current Bluetooth-based wireless audio standards. According to multiple reports, including those from TechRadar and Patently Apple, SPR AVS aims to surpass not only the newer Bluetooth LE Audio standard but also Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound and Sony’s LDAC in both audio quality and transmission latency.
In practical terms, this means the system is potentially capable of streaming truly lossless audio—such as Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) files—between an iPhone 17 and AirPods Pro 3 without signal compression or perceptible delay.
The underlying hardware enabling these features includes Apple’s N1 proprietary wireless networking chip and the A19 processor present in the iPhone 17 line. SPR AVS operates on a peer-to-peer basis, connecting devices directly and avoiding typical Wi-Fi routing, which results in both low latency and increased privacy.
Designed for the Future: Beyond Music
While many audiophiles and Apple Music subscribers might expect these features to herald widespread lossless music streaming on the latest hardware, Apple’s focus with SPR AVS currently appears to be on enabling new forms of multi-device, multisensory experiences.
For example, SPR AVS is optimized for ultra-low latency scenarios such as live translation, gaming, and spatial computing in conjunction with Apple Vision Pro. Similar technology allows USB-C AirPods Pro 2 to deliver lossless audio to the Vision Pro headset, reflecting Apple’s prioritization of advanced AR/VR integrations over straightforward music playback upgrades at this stage.
Feedback from developers and early reviewers indicates that Apple is positioning SPR AVS as a critical building block for upcoming spatial computing initiatives, where audio-visual synchronization and seamless multi-device operation are paramount.
Multi-device synchronization enables features like immersive AR audio or real-time voice translation—capabilities that standard Bluetooth struggles to support due to bandwidth and latency constraints.
Image Source: X
Current Limitations and the Road Ahead
Despite the promising technology, lossless wireless audio streaming via Apple Music is not yet available for AirPods Pro 3 or the iPhone 17. Currently, lossless wireless playback at “true lossless” quality is only officially supported when pairing a compatible AirPods model (such as USB-C AirPods Pro 2) with Apple Vision Pro, using a proprietary protocol that leverages the 5GHz band for enhanced data transfer rates and lower interference.
Several factors may explain Apple’s conservative approach. Battery life could be affected by the higher bandwidth and processing demands of lossless streaming, and full-scale rollout may require further ecosystem upgrades—including updates to the Apple Music app and broader support from other Apple devices.
Analysts and community discussion suggest that, although the hardware and protocol infrastructure for lossless wireless audio are now in place, Apple is deliberately focusing on spatial computing and high-value, low-latency features for AR/VR and cross-device use before expanding the functionality to mainstream music streaming. Industry observers remain hopeful that a software update in the near future will enable full music support, especially given increasing consumer demand for the highest-quality wireless personal audio.
