Google Leak Reveals Possible Google Photos Pricing Changes

Google is testing a change to Google One subscription tiers that could impact Google Photos users.

July 27 update details a leaked Pixel 9 Pro promotion that highlights the need for changes to Google One subscription tiers.

As revealed in the new Android Power a report from app expert Assemble Debug, code in the latest version of the Google Photos app for Android includes references to a brand new, unannounced “Google One Lite” subscription plan. The addition suggests that Google Photos users, in particular, may soon see changes to the way Google charges them for some premium services.

According to the report, the text in the latest Google Photos app reads (emphasis mine):

“<nazwa ciągu="zdjęcia_chmura_przechowywanie_g1_lite_plan">Plan Google One Lite„/ciąg>”

Google One is a subscription-based Google service that provides users with cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos accounts. It is offered through subscription plans based on the amount of cloud storage included. However, there is currently no “Lite” plan.

What does the Google One Lite plan offer?

So what do we know about the new Lite plan? Right now, we can expect it to coexist with Google’s existing Standard, Basic, Premium, and AI Premium plans, which are still referenced in the code as before.

Given the “Lite” name, we can expect this unreleased plan to become the new entry-level option for Google One subscribers. That means we can expect it to include at least the 15GB of free storage that’s currently offered to non-paying users, plus a few unnamed extras. It’s also unlikely to be positioned too close to Basic’s current 100GB storage tier, meaning we can estimate it to include somewhere between 15GB and 100GB of storage, provided Google maintains the 15GB cap for free users.

Given that the new plan was first spotted in the Google Photos app, it’s likely that this will be an option of particular interest to Google Photos users. It’s also possible that any new plan will simply offer users access to Google Photos’ premium features without having to purchase additional storage beyond the included 15GB.

For example, Google Photos users are currently limited to 10 Magic Editor saves per month unless they have a Pixel device or a 2TB Google One Premium plan. Google could use the Lite plan as a cost-effective way to sell additional Magic Editor saves or other server-based AI features to those who don’t need 2TB of storage. Another possibility is that Google plans to make broader changes to its current Google One plans to accommodate the new Lite tier.

Google’s basic 100GB plan currently costs $1.99 per month, while the Premium 2TB option will cost $9.99 per month. There’s also a Premium AI 2TB tier that adds access to Google’s Gemini Advanced features for a total of $19.99 per month.

Other plans are also available for current Google One subscribers, including a 200GB plan and high-capacity tiers ranging from 5TB to 30TB, but they are not available to new customers when they sign up. Importantly, these 5TB and larger plans are not available on Gemini Advanced, meaning users would need to downgrade or create a second account to access Google’s premium AI features. This anomaly makes it highly likely that Google will introduce a range of other new subscription options soon, perhaps alongside the Pixel 9 series, which is now available in a few weeks.

Pixel 9 Pro deal leak reinforces need for Google One subscription changes

New report from Leaksby 91mobiles.comreveals that Google will offer Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold customers a full year of Google One AI Premium at no additional cost. This offer reinforces more than ever that Google needs to make changes to its Google One pricing structure, because as mentioned above, customers who already have a Google One subscription at the 5TB or higher tier won’t be able to add Gemini Advanced to their existing accounts.

As stated in the disclosed terms of the offer (emphasis added), “Offer not valid for Google One members billed through third-party providers, Google Fi Unlimited plan members, Pixel Pass plan members, Google One Family plan members, or Google One members on a 5TB plan or greater.”

As Google’s subscription services become more complex, Google One will need to change its pricing structure to keep pace with both its top-end and entry-level prices.

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