Apple Music Download Bitrate

Music encoded as 256kbps aac files first came to the itunes store in 2007 with the launch of apple s itunes plus.
Apple music download bitrate. Yes there is 320kbps is the next to mp3 it goes higher but the format changes to flv flac and others infact it goes up to 920kbps bit rate but different music file format. Apple music streams tunes at a lower quality bitrate 128 kbps aac by default to reduce data usage on your mobile device. Apple music seems an exception.
Very recently apple music was announced apple s own streaming downloading service. Batch download apple music songs as mp3 or m4a. That marked the debut of drm free music tracks encoded at a higher quality bitrate that apple claims is virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings.
Apple music streams at a bitrate of 256kbps which seems lower than spotify s 320 kbp s at face value but it s not exactly like for like because apple music uses its own aac audio codec. Comparing to spotify which has the highest bit rate at 320kbps ogg apple music has a lower bit rate. Itunes for pc or mac windows 7 8 8 1 10 and mac os x 10 6 10 14.
It has only 256kbps bitrate. Does it mean that apple music falls behind music quality. Apple music is equipped with the format of aac which can reach the highest bit rate at 256kbps.
That is a bit lower than the mainstream music platforms in the market. There s no option for you to adjust music quality in itunes for macos or windows because apple music uses aac with up to 256 kbps by default. 256kps aac is the current standard there s no way to get a higher bitrate than that.
Apple music s streaming quality is on par with itunes match which plays tracks back at 256kbps aac quality. Speaking of spotify it offers a 96kbps bitrate on mobile and 160kbps on desktop and web player while its high quality 320kbps mp3 streaming on mobile and desktop is only available to premium subscribers. My question is what will be is the bitrate sound quality or whatever of the audio offered by apple music.