Spotify rolls out new Premium tiers in India and other markets
The new plans promise better audio and smarter features, but they could also reduce mid-tier options for listeners.
If you’ve ever been halfway through your favourite playlist only to be interrupted by ads or struggled with low-quality audio on your commute, Spotify is now offering new ways to improve your experience. It rolled out three new Premium tiers (Lite, Standard, and Platinum) for listeners in India, Indonesia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
Premium Lite (₹139/$1.57) gives you ad-free streaming at 160 kbps, making it a simple option for listeners who just want to remove interruptions. Premium Standard (₹199/$2.25) adds offline listening and 320 kbps audio, which helps if you move between places with unreliable connectivity. Premium Platinum (₹299/$3.37) introduces lossless audio, account sharing for up to three users, and Spotify’s AI DJ feature. It also connects to DJ software like rekordbox, Serato, and djay, which could appeal to people who enjoy creating mixes or experimenting with audio tools.
With these changes, Spotify now matches the lossless and offline capabilities already offered by Apple Music and YouTube Music. What stands out are the AI DJ and playlist creation tools, even though Platinum supports fewer users per account compared to some competing family plans.
Emmanuel Umahi
For current Premium subscribers, nothing changes. Your plan continues as it is. For new users, though, there is a notable update. The old Duo and Family plans are no longer available, which means Platinum is now the only option for sharing an account. Families or larger households may find that limiting, especially in markets where shared plans were the primary way to make streaming more affordable.
This rollout also hints at Spotify’s broader direction. The company appears to be testing a "super premium" tier in select regions before taking it to more countries. Features like lossless audio and AI tools are now becoming part of the higher-end offering rather than the standard subscription.
For listeners, the update promises better audio quality and more personalised tools, but it also reduces mid-tier choices and raises the cost of sharing accounts.
Emmanuel Umahi
