Stereo content on an app can also be converted to spatial audio all a developer needs to do is allow stereo spatialisation via an Apple plug-in. As of August last year, Netflix also supports spatial audio, meaning that owners of a compatible iPhone or iPad and either a pair of AirPods 3, Pro, Max or Beats Fit Pro can watch TV shows and films with surround sound and the spatial audio effect. That already includes apps such as Vudu, HBO Go, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

On the software side of things, as long as an app supports 5.1, 7.1 and/or Atmos, it will work with spatial audio. While you don’t need Atmos for spatial audio, the two working together will likely produce the best results.Īs of March 2023, Sonos has announced Apple Music's spatial audio tracks will be compatible with the following products: It’s also worth noting that Dolby Atmos is only available on Apple devices launched since 2018. IPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later) Here's the full list of iOS devices that can handle spatial audio: Does this mean that all of these devices also support spatial audio? Unfortunately not.

The next-gen Apple operating system is available on all iPhones from the iPhone 6S onwards, and iPadOS 14 works on every iPad since, and including, the iPad Air 2. What devices support Apple spatial audio?Īpple AirPods Pro 2 (Image credit: Future)Īpple spatial audio was initially launched as part of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, and Apple released the newer Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos feature for Apple Music on the 7th June 2021 as part of the free iOS and iPadOS 14.6 software updates. I spoke to Apple to find out the secret behind the AirPods Pro 2’s audio success.Read our full review of the AirPods Pro 2.

This means that even if you turn your head or reposition your device, dialogue will still be anchored to the actor on the screen. It even tracks the position of the iPhone or iPad that you’re watching on so that sound is also placed relative to the screen. Dolby Atmos for Headphones has been around for some time now, while Sony has its 360 Reality Audio format for music, delivers 3D audio in some PS4 games via its Platinum Wireless Headset, and has gone big on 3D audio for the PS5.Īpple’s spatial audio is unique, though, at least where movie soundtracks are concerned, in that it doesn't only provide virtualised surround and Atmos sound, it also tracks your head movement using accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max and Beats Fit Pro in order to position the sound accurately. This is not the first technology of its type.

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