What is Telegram Premium and what do you get?
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(Pocket-lint) – After announcing that it had passed the milestone of 700 million active users and become one of the most downloaded apps in the world in 2022, Telegram has announced a new premium tier for its super- users.
For years, Telegram has been a cost-free and (mostly) ad-free messaging service, offering convenient and secure messaging that doesn’t make money from its users’ data.
Instead, it ran purely on investor money. But with the increase in its user base, and the cost of running the service, Telegram has announced a new monthly subscription offer that adds more features for its super users.
How much does it cost ?
- £4.99/month in UK
- $4.99/month in the US
- €5.49/month in Europe
This is the most important question, and the answer is: not very much. In the UK, when the service went live, the monthly subscription was £4.99. In the US it is $4.99. In Europe, it’s €5.49 per month.
What additional features do I get?
As with any premium subscription of this type, you get a mix of features that are very useful for those who use a lot the service, and other nice little perks. Here’s what Telegram has announced so far:
1. 4GB Download
Any user on the free tier can upload files up to 2 GB, but with the premium tier you can upload files up to 4 GB. It should be noted that if you are not a premium user, you can still receive and download these 4 GB files. The restriction only applies to downloads.
2. Faster downloads
If you have a Premium account, you will be able to download content, files and media to your device at the fastest possible speed. There are no limits except what your network can support.
3. Double limits on just about everything
This is where the superuser comes in. With a premium account, you can follow up to 1,000 channels, create 20 chat folders with up to 200 chats each, add a fourth account to your Telegram app, save up to 10 favorite stickers and pin 10 chats to your master list.
Other improvements include the ability to write a longer bio, reserve up to 10 public t.me links to share your favorite groups and channels, and have up to 400 favorite GIFs.
4. Convert voice to text
Sending voice notes is a very popular way to communicate in any messaging app, but it’s not always convenient to listen, so with premium account Telegram will open voice to text transcription . This means that you will still be able to see what the message says, even if you can’t or don’t want to listen to it. You will also be able to rate the transcriptions in order to improve the quality of the service.
5. Unique stickers and full screen animations
Similar to iMessage, you will be able to enjoy full-screen animations for stickers when you subscribe to Telegram Premium. The collection will be updated every month, and even free users will be able to receive and view them (but not send them).
6. Unique reactions
Premium users also have access to a selection of new reactions. These are in addition to the usual reactions and some of them also include pop-up animations.
7. Animated profile pictures
It’s not the only way to know you have a Premium account, but it’s the most obvious: animated profile pictures. This allows you to have a short video as a thumbnail rather than a static image.
8. Chat Management
Again, for super users who have a lot of newsgroups to organize. For example, you can set a group chat to open by default instead of the inbox listing all your chats. If, for example, you want to make your family or work colleagues your main file, you can do so. You can also have a list of your unread messages open first.
9. Premium Badges
Like the animated profile picture, these badges tell other users that you are a Premium user. Each Premium member receives a small Premium badge on their profile, which appears in the chat list.
10. Premium app icons
Premium users will also be able to change their app icon by choosing one of the new Premium member-only app icons, rather than one of the few pre-made icons. This includes the premium “star” icon.
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11. No ads at all
Currently, ads are generally not displayed, even for free users. However, in some circumstances they are, such as in large groups organized by one person. In this case, you can see what Telegram describes as “minimal design sponsored posts”. If you’re a premium subscriber, you won’t even see them.
How to get it?
Like most apps that offer premium services, it’s a simple in-app purchase. Download the latest version of the Telegram app for iPhone, iPad or Android, then open “Settings”. You will see a “Telegram Premium” option in the main settings list, tap on it and confirm your monthly subscription in the window that appears.
Written by Cam Bunton.