Tech billionaire Elon Musk has raised prices of the top-tier Premium+ subscription for his X social media platform by a substantial 35% for both new and existing users in India, as well as across global markets. The price hike, which took effect on December 21, will see Indian Premium+ users paying Rs 1,750 per month, up from Rs 1,300. This represents a roughly 35% increase.
Premium+ subscription price increase: Impact on India and the US
Alongside the monthly fee hike, annual Premium+ users in India will now be required to pay Rs 18,300, compared to the previous rate of Rs 13,600—an increase of about 35%. For users in the US, the Premium+ subscription cost will rise from $16 to $22 per month, with annual subscriptions going up from $168 to $229.
While the Premium+ tier saw a price hike, the basic tier subscription remains at Rs 243 in India, and the premium tier continues to be priced at Rs 650.
Enhanced features justifying the price hike for premium+
This price hike marks the largest increase since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform (formerly Twitter) in 2022. According to X, the Premium+ subscription will now be completely ad-free, offering users an uninterrupted browsing experience. Additionally, subscribers will benefit from higher priority support, exclusive new features such as Radar, and increased limits on the Grok AI models.
X explained that the price increase allows for further investment in improving the Premium+ service, ensuring that subscribers are always ahead of the curve with cutting-edge technology.
Shifting revenue model and content creation benefits
Elon Musk’s X also introduced a shift in its revenue share model. Instead of rewarding ad views, X now focuses on rewarding content quality and engagement. The new pricing system is designed to ensure creators are compensated based on the value they bring to the platform, rather than the number of ad impressions they generate.
With the price hike, Elon Musk’s X aims to create a more equitable system, benefiting content creators and enhancing the overall user experience for Premium+ subscribers.
