YouTube Premium Price Increase: Is It Still a Good Deal?
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Chapter 1 Understanding YouTube Premium
If you love watching YouTube videos without interruptions from ads, you may have thought about subscribing to YouTube Premium. This service not only provides an ad-free experience but also includes access to YouTube Music and Originals, enhancing your overall viewing and listening enjoyment. However, it's important to note that YouTube Premium has recently seen a price increase.
Reports indicate that Google has discreetly raised the monthly subscription fee for YouTube Premium in the US by $2, bringing it from $12 to $14. Additionally, the annual subscription now costs $140, up from $120, which offers a savings of approximately $28 compared to monthly payments. YouTube Music Premium, a separate music streaming option, has also seen a price rise from $10 to $11, aligning with similar hikes from competitors like Apple and Amazon.
The recent price adjustments primarily impact new subscribers, while existing users may experience varying billing changes based on their current plans. For instance, some individuals who previously subscribed to YouTube Red, the predecessor to YouTube Premium, continue to enjoy the old $9.99 monthly rate. However, a price hike last year for the family plan was applied to both new and existing customers.
This raises the question: why has YouTube implemented these price increases without any formal announcement? And does YouTube Premium still hold value for new subscribers or those facing potential price increases? Let’s explore some of the factors and benefits associated with the service.
Section 1.1 Benefits of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium provides several advantages over the standard version of YouTube. Firstly, subscribers can view videos without interruptions from advertisements, which can often be distracting. Additionally, the ability to download videos for offline viewing proves beneficial when internet access is limited or data usage is a concern. Furthermore, subscribers can play videos in the background, allowing audio playback while using other apps or with the phone screen off.
Subsection 1.1.1 Enhanced Streaming Quality
Another perk of YouTube Premium is the ability to stream videos in higher quality on certain devices. Recently, Google upgraded YouTube Premium to offer 1080p streaming on iOS devices, which was previously capped at 720p, allowing for a sharper, more vibrant viewing experience.