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21 Jul 2026


Apple hikes subscription prices in India

Apple Music and Apple One plans become costlier amid rising licensing expenses

Apple has increased the subscription prices of its digital services in India, making Apple Music and Apple One plans more expensive for both new and existing users. The revised pricing has already come into effect for new subscribers, while current users will see the higher charges from their next billing cycle.

The price hike is part of a wider global revision announced by the technology giant as it faces rising music licensing costs. Apple said the increase reflects the higher amount it pays to artists, songwriters and music labels, making it necessary to revise subscription charges across several countries, including India.

For millions of Apple users who rely on Apple Music for daily entertainment, the change means paying a little more every month. While the increase may appear modest for individual users, families and customers subscribed to multiple Apple services are likely to notice a bigger impact on their monthly digital spending.

Under the revised pricing, the Apple Music Individual plan now costs ₹139 per month, compared to the earlier ₹119. The Student plan has increased from ₹59 to ₹69 per month, while the Family plan, which supports up to six members through Family Sharing, now costs ₹229, up from ₹179.

Apple has also revised the prices of its bundled Apple One subscriptions, which combine multiple Apple services under a single monthly payment. The Apple One Individual plan now costs ₹195 instead of ₹175, while the Family plan has been increased from ₹235 to ₹295 per month. The Premier plan, which offers the widest range of Apple services, now costs ₹995, up from ₹899.

Apple One bundles include services such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and iCloud+ storage. Depending on the plan and region, users may also receive access to services like Apple Fitness+. Many subscribers choose these bundled plans because they are generally more economical than paying separately for each service.

The company has clarified that the price increase is linked to rising licensing expenses rather than the introduction of new features or additional benefits. Apple said higher royalty payments to artists and rights holders have increased the overall cost of operating its music streaming platform.

Despite the revised pricing, Apple Music continues to offer one of the largest music libraries in the industry, with access to more than 100 million songs. Subscribers also receive ad-free music streaming, offline downloads, Lossless Audio, Spatial Audio, personalised recommendations and curated playlists. Student subscribers in eligible markets continue to receive Apple TV+ as part of their subscription without any extra charge.

Industry experts believe the latest move reflects a broader trend in the streaming industry. Over the past two years, several digital entertainment platforms have increased subscription charges as they deal with higher content acquisition costs, licensing fees and operating expenses. As competition intensifies, streaming companies are also investing heavily in exclusive content and technology, adding further pressure on costs.

Apple’s latest decision follows a series of pricing revisions in recent weeks. The company had earlier increased the prices of AppleCare+ plans for selected Macs and iPads in India. It has also adjusted the prices of certain hardware products in some markets, reflecting changing costs across its business.

For consumers, the increase comes at a time when many households are already managing multiple digital subscriptions, including music, video streaming, cloud storage and gaming services. As monthly expenses continue to rise, users may reassess which subscriptions they actively use and whether bundled plans still offer the best value.

Some customers may continue with Apple Music because of its integration across the Apple ecosystem, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and HomePods. Others may compare prices with rival platforms such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and JioSaavn before deciding whether to renew their subscriptions.

Even after the latest increase, Apple is expected to remain focused on expanding its services business, which has become one of the company’s fastest-growing revenue segments. Subscription-based services now contribute significantly to Apple’s overall earnings and play an important role in strengthening customer loyalty.

For existing subscribers, the revised charges will apply automatically from the next renewal date unless they choose to cancel or change their subscription plan. New users signing up for Apple Music or Apple One will immediately pay the updated prices.

The latest revision highlights the changing economics of the streaming business, where rising licensing costs and content investments are gradually pushing subscription prices higher. While Apple says the increase is necessary to support artists and rights holders, consumers will ultimately decide whether the service continues to offer enough value to justify the higher monthly cost.

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