Report: WhatsApp Plus to be the messenger's paid premium subscription

“WhatsApp Plus” will be the new paid subscription offering from the messenger service, according to sources familiar with WhatsApp's beta versions. For a monthly fee of an as yet unknown amount, WhatsApp Plus will reportedly offer paying users several customization options for the app's design, as well as exclusive stickers and ringtones. Users will also be able to pin more chats than before for quick access.

It was already reported at the end of January that Meta is planning paid premium subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. However, a few weeks ago it was still unclear which functions Meta Platforms intended to make paid on WhatsApp and Facebook. The company is said to have spoken of a “premium experience” on the three platforms. Each subscription is said to bring its own exclusive features.

More scope for subscribers

Now, experts specializing in beta versions of WhatsApp from WABetaInfo on X are revealing the first details about WhatsApp's paid subscription. According to them, the paid premium subscription will be marketed under WhatsApp Plus and offered to both Android and iOS users. The paid subscription is not yet publicly available, and there is no information yet on the launch date or the amount of the monthly fees.

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WhatsApp Plus (3 Bilder)

However, it seems clear that WhatsApp will continue to be usable for free as before, even without a subscription. WhatsApp Plus will apparently only offer additional design options to set it apart from standard WhatsApp. These include 14 new app icons and various colors for the user interface, as well as exclusive new ringtones and stickers. All of this is intended to be reserved for paying users. Furthermore, reactions to individual messages are said to become “more immersive and interactive,” although it remains unclear what this entails. Chats are intended to be made more dynamic and engaging for subscribers.

Pin more chats at the top

However, WhatsApp Plus is also said to bring a useful feature, as users are currently limited to three when pinning chats. Subscribers will reportedly be able to pin 20 chats at the top of the app in the future to access their important conversations more quickly.

This feature, as well as the customization options, are merely optional, just like the WhatsApp Plus subscription itself. No WhatsApp user will therefore have to forgo existing functions in the future without a subscription. WhatsApp Plus is intended to offer additional functions. When these, as well as the subscription, will be available is currently unclear. The functions and customization options may also change before the launch.

(fds)