After announcing Telegram Premium earlier this month, the messaging app finally introduced a paid level that gives users access to additional features for $ 4.99 / month (via TechCrunch). All features are described in a post on the Telegram blog, and some of its major attractions include faster downloads and a larger maximum file size of 4GB (instead of the standard 2GB).
Premium subscribers will also receive double restrictions imposed on standard users. Instead of joining up to 500 channels, subscribers are limited to 1000 channels. The same goes for other Telegram features – subscribers can create 20 chat folders with 200 chats each, save up to 10 stickers, hang up to 10 chats and add a total of four Telegram accounts instead of three. Premium users also get a longer connection bios.
Telegram Premium subscribers receive increased limits on the number of channels that others can join. Image: Telegram
Some other benefits include access to a library of Premium stickers with more disgusting full-screen animations, exclusive emoji reactions and animated profile photos (something like the ones you see on Steam). There’s also text conversion for voice messages in case you don’t have headphones on hand, in addition to chat management tools that allow you to change your default chat folder. Oh, and subscribing to Premium removes sponsored messages on public channels.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s views on the free level of the platform have remained unchanged since he first mentioned the possibility in 2020. In line with what was said earlier, Durov said last week that free features will remain free and new features will not affect the Telegram experience for non-subscribers. This means that free Telegram users should be able to download larger files uploaded by subscribers, as well as see the first-class reactions or emojis they use.
The advantages of Premium are based on the existing functions of Telegram
Durov also promised that Telegram would also stop developing features for free users, which the platform seems to be following so far. The latest Telegram update shows verified chat icons (not just profiles, search results, or chat lists), enables public groups to activate join requests, and adds several platform-specific enhancements.
However, Telegram Premium comes with many features, many of which are likely to be attractive to Telegram’s most active – already 700 million strong – user base. I personally like that most of the benefits of Premium are based on existing Telegram features. The new level doesn’t put features behind a paid wall that should be on the platform in the first place (something like what Twitter did with the “cancel” button).
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