Elon Musk’s microblogging platform X has recently announced a significant price hike for its premium subscription service, X Premium+, across various global markets, including India. The most notable change comes in the United States, where the price for this top-tier plan has surged by almost 40%. This revision has left many users questioning the value they will receive for the increased cost. To justify the higher price, X points to a range of new features and improvements designed to enhance the user experience.
In India, the cost of a monthly X Premium+ subscription has been raised from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,750, while the annual plan has jumped from Rs. 13,600 to Rs. 18,300. It’s also worth noting that users who subscribe through Android or iOS devices will face even higher prices, reflecting the platform’s strategy to generate more revenue through its mobile apps.
The price hike isn’t limited to India or the US; other countries, including Canada, Nigeria, Turkey, and various nations in the European Union, are also experiencing the adjustment. While the increase may catch many by surprise, X has explained that the change is tied to the introduction of several new features that are designed to provide greater value to Premium+ subscribers.
Why the Price Increase?
According to X, the price hike is largely driven by the addition of several premium features that aim to significantly improve the user experience. One of the major upgrades is the complete removal of ads for Premium+ members. This ad-free environment is expected to make the platform more enjoyable for users who are willing to pay for uninterrupted browsing.
In addition to ad-free browsing, Premium+ subscribers will gain access to priority customer support and enhanced features, including Radar, a new tool that helps users track specific keywords, visualize trends, and monitor post statistics through detailed graphs. This feature is particularly aimed at businesses, influencers, and anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into their content’s performance.
X is also introducing Grok AI models, which use advanced artificial intelligence to provide a more personalized and intuitive experience for users. Furthermore, the Premium+ plan now plays a central role in X’s **creator program, where content creators can earn money based on their overall contribution to the platform, rather than relying solely on ad revenue. This shift aligns with X’s strategy to encourage more creators to invest in and grow their presence on the platform.
What Does This Mean for Users?
X has clarified that new subscribers will pay the revised prices immediately, while existing users will continue to pay the old rates until their next billing cycle after January 21, 2025. The company has also noted that the price increase may vary based on region, taxes, and payment methods.
For example, in the United States, the cost of X Premium+ has jumped from $16 per month (roughly Rs. 1,360) to $22 (about Rs. 1,900), while the annual plan has risen from $168 to $229. These changes reflect X’s broader goal of making the platform more sustainable financially while continuing to improve the features available to its users.
The decision to raise prices has sparked debate about the long-term direction of X. While the new features may attract some users, it remains to be seen whether the increased cost will discourage existing members or if the platform will be able to draw enough new subscribers to balance out the hike. As X navigates the competitive social media landscape, it will need to balance user satisfaction with financial sustainability.
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