Hajra Naz
Just hours after Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, unveiled the latest version of its AI model, Grok 3, X has significantly increased the cost of its top-tier Premium+ subscription plan. The price hike sees the monthly fee rise to nearly $50 per month, a sharp jump from previous rates.
According to X’s updated premium plans support page, the new Premium+ pricing in the U.S. is now set at $40 per month or $350 per year. But the surge isn’t limited to just the U.S.—international markets have also been affected.
For example:
- United Kingdom: Monthly cost jumped from £17 to £35
- France & Germany: Increased from €21 to €38 per month
Another Steep Price Hike in Just Months
This marks the second major price increase for X’s Premium+ plan in recent months. Back in December, the company raised the monthly fee from $16 to $22, meaning that with this latest adjustment, the cost has more than doubled within a few months.
Grok 3 Features Split Between Premium+ and SuperGrok
While X Premium+ subscribers will gain access to some of Grok 3’s features, key advanced capabilities, such as “deep search” and “enhanced reasoning,” will be available exclusively under a new SuperGrok plan through the Grok app. This suggests that xAI is segmenting its AI services, potentially pushing users toward higher-tier subscriptions for full access.
Confusing Pricing & Checkout Discrepancies
Adding to the confusion, users have reported inconsistencies in X’s pricing across different pages:
- The support page lists Premium+ at $50 per month, yet…
- The sign-up page shows $48.40 per month
- The final checkout page, however, charges only $40 per month
- The annual plan fluctuates between $395 and $477.95, depending on where users check
This lack of pricing clarity could lead to frustration among subscribers, especially those considering whether the AI-powered perks of Grok 3 justify the cost.
Is the Price Hike Justified?
Musk’s vision for X has always revolved around AI integration, content monetization, and platform sustainability. With Grok 3 being positioned as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, X is likely betting that users will pay a premium for AI-driven features. However, with steep price hikes and inconsistent pricing, will X risk alienating its existing subscribers?
For now, users will have to decide whether Grok 3’s capabilities justify the new Premium+ costs—or if cheaper AI alternatives provide a better deal.
