Elon Musk’s xAI Releases Grok 3 Amid Price Increases on X Platform
Recently, the AI company founded by Elon Musk, xAI, launched a new version of its artificial intelligence model called Grok 3. This release came with a significant price hike for the top-tier Premium+ subscription on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Users looking to access this latest model will now find the subscription cost nearly reaching $50 per month.
Updated Pricing for Premium+ Subscription
On the official support page for X, the details regarding the Premium subscription plans were updated. Here is how the pricing breaks down:
- Monthly Subscription: $50
- Yearly Subscription: $350
This marks a substantial increase from previous prices.
Recent Price Increases
This is not the first time X has raised the cost of the Premium+ plan. Just a few months back, in December, the monthly subscription was raised from $16 to $22. The new pricing means that Premium+ users will now be paying more than double what they initially subscribed for.
Features and Limitations of Grok 3
xAI has chosen to reserve certain features of Grok 3 for a separate subscription plan called SuperGrok, which is accessible through the Grok app. This means that while Premium+ subscribers will have access to some new functionalities, others—such as advanced "deep search" and enhanced "reasoning" capabilities—will require users to subscribe to the additional SuperGrok plan.
Confusing Pricing Structures
Compounding the situation are the inconsistencies observed in the pricing on X. When one user attempted to sign up for the Premium+ plan, they encountered several different prices presented:
- Sign-Up Page Display: $39.83 per month (or $477.95 annually)
- Checkout Page Display: $395 annually
- Support Page Listing: $50 monthly
- Alternative Pricing during Checkout: $48.40 per month or $40 per month
This lack of consistency has left potential subscribers confused about the actual costs, leading to frustration among users who are trying to understand the best options for their subscriptions.
Summary
To recap, the launch of Grok 3 by xAI has coincided with significant price increases for the Premium+ subscription plan on X. Current subscribers will now have to adjust to the new cost of $50 per month or $350 annually. The introduction of features tied to the separate SuperGrok plan only adds to the complexity of available options. Moreover, the variations in pricing displayed on the platform raise questions about transparency and customer trust.
The new pricing and features could impact how existing and future users interact with the platform, as they weigh the benefits of the new AI capabilities against the rising costs of subscriptions. Whether these changes will lead to greater engagement with X remains to be seen; however, users and potential subscribers are encouraged to evaluate their needs in light of these updates.
