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X doubles its Premium+ plan prices after xAI releases Grok 3
X has increased the price of its Premium+ subscription plan to around $50/month following the launch of xAI's Grok 3. The price adjustments are significant, doubling previous rates, with June updates impacting U.S., U.K., and European markets. This marks X's second price hike in recent months and has caused confusion due to inconsistencies in pricing displayed across various platforms.
Key points
- xAI released Grok 3, prompting X to raise the Premium+ plan price.
- New U.S. price for Premium+ is $40/month and $350/year.
- International price increases observed: UK raised from £17 to £35, EU from €21 to €38.
- This is the second price increase since December when it went from $16 to $22/month.
- X's pricing is inconsistent across various signup and checkout pages, causing confusion.
Why it matters
- The increase in subscription pricing mirrors a broader trend in IT where subscription models are adjusted as service features become more advanced.
- As AI technology evolves, companies are leveraging feature exclusivity to generate more revenue from premium plans.
- Historical context: Other tech companies have also raised subscription prices following enhancements in their offerings, indicative of an industry trend.
The significant price hike for X's Premium+ plan following xAI's Grok 3 release underscores ongoing changes in the subscription model landscape, reflecting the evolving nature of AI services and market pricing strategies.