(Pocket-Lint) – Following the announcement that it has reached the milestone of 700 million active users, and will become one of the most downloaded apps worldwide in 2022, Telegram has announced a new premium level for its super-users.
For years, Telegram has offered a fee-free and (mostly) ad-free messaging service, convenient and secure messaging that makes no money from its users’ data.
Instead, it only runs on investors’ money. But as its user base grows and the cost of running the service increases, Telegram has announced a new monthly subscription offer that adds more features to its super-users.
How much does it cost?
- £ 4.99 / month in the UK
- $ 4.99 / month in US
- ইউরো 5.49 / month in Europe
These are all important questions, and the answer is: not many. In the UK, when the service goes live, a monthly subscription is 4.99. In the US, it’s $ 4.99. In Europe, it is € 5.49 per month.
Can I get additional features?
Like any such premium subscription, you will find a mix of really useful features for those who use the service A lot, And other nice little fun benefits. Here is what Telegram has announced so far:
1. 4GB upload
Any free level user can upload files up to 2GB, but with premium level, you can upload large files up to 4GB. Notably, if you are not a premium user, you can still receive and download these 4GB files. Restrictions apply only to uploads.
2. Quick download
If you have a premium account, you will be able to download content, files and media to your device at the fastest available speed. It is in no way limited to what your network can handle.
3. Double limit for almost everything
This is where you start watching the super-user game. With a premium account you can follow 1000 channels, create 20 chat folders with 200 chats in each, you can add a fourth account to your Telegram app, save 10 favorite stickers and pin 10 chats to your main list.
Other enhancements include being able to write a long bio, reserving 10 public t.me links to share your favorite groups and channels, and you can have up to 400 favorite GIFs.
4. Voice-to-text
Sending voice notes is a very popular way to communicate with any messaging app, but it’s not always convenient to listen, so with a premium account, Telegram is about to open voice-to-text transcription. This means you can still see what the message says, even when you don’t want to or don’t want to hear it. You can also rate transcripts to improve the quality of service
5. Unique sticker and full-screen animation
Like iMessage, you will be able to take advantage of full-screen animations for stickers when you become a Telegram Premium subscriber. The collection will be updated monthly, and even free users will be able to receive and view them (not just send them).
6. Unique feedback
Premium users also get access to a selection of new responses. This is in addition to the usual responses, and includes some pop-out animations.
7. Animated profile picture
This is not the only way to tell if you have a premium account, but it will be the most obvious: animated profile picture. This allows you to place a short video as your thumbnail instead of a static image
8. Chat management
Again, for super users with lots of chat groups to organize. For example, you can set by default a group of chats that open instead of a catch-all inbox list with all your chats. If – for example – you want to set family or coworkers as your main folder, you can or you can open a list of your unread messages first.
9. Premium badge
Like the animated profile picture, it will indicate to others that you are a premium user. Each premium level member gets a small premium icon badge on their profile, which appears on the chat list for everyone to see.
10. Premium App Icon
Premium users will be able to change their app icon to one of the new premium-only app icons, instead of one of the few presets. This includes the premium ‘Star’ icon.
11. No ads
Currently, ads do not usually show for free users either However, in some situations they do, such as in large groups organized by one person. In these instances you can see that the telegram describes it as ‘minimally designed sponsored message’. If you are a premium subscriber, you will not see these.
How do I get it?
Like most apps with premium services, this is a simple in-app purchase. Download the latest Telegram app app for iPhone, iPad or Android and then open ‘Settings’. You will see an option for ‘Telegram Premium’ in the main settings list, tap on it and then confirm your monthly subscription in the pop-up window.
Written by Cam Bunton.
