WhatsApp has started testing a new premium plan called WhatsApp Plus. The plan is being tested in phases among Android Beta users, while offering additional features for those who want a more personalized messaging experience without compromising the basic functionality of the app.
Among the key features offered in this paid plan are access to exclusive stickers with overlay animations, the option to change the app theme with 18 new colors and 14 alternative icons with creative designs. In addition, users can also pin up to 20 conversations compared to only three in the regular version in addition to enjoying 10 exclusive ringtones for calls and using bulk settings for themes and notifications in group chats.
In terms of privacy, there are no changes to the messaging functionality, voice calls or privacy protection as end-to-end encryption (E2EE) remains the same. This means that this subscription only adds additional features without affecting the basic functionality, while the price starts at €2.49 (~RM11.57) per month in Europe, PKR 229.00 (~RM3.25) in Pakistan and $29.00 (~RM6.61) in Mexico. It also has a monthly subscription concept with automatic renewal but can be canceled at any time.
With this plan, WhatsApp seems to be trying to give users more options to customize the application to their tastes while keeping the basic experience free. For now, WhatsApp Plus is only offered to a small number of Android users, with support for iOS expected to follow later.
