YouTube: 4K resolution soon chargeable?

Users are reporting changes in the YouTube app on Twitter and other social media. Google is apparently testing the introduction of a premium version, with which the 4K resolution of videos becomes chargeable. Feedback has been negative.

4K soon only in the premium version?

The first hints that YouTube will soon make 4K videos accessible only in the premium version were already given a few days ago, when the first screenshots surfaced on Reddit. Shortly thereafter, screenshots from YouTube were also shared on Twitter, indicating a broader test on Google’s part. What is striking here is that the prompt to buy the premium version in order to watch 4K videos has so far only been displayed on Apple devices. There are no reports about a corresponding test in Android applications so far.

The screenshots as well as the comments of those affected indicate that the 4K version cannot be unlocked separately, but only as part of a premium subscription. Included here are also advertising freedom, a download option for all videos on the platform, as well as the ability to continue playing videos on the smartphone when the YouTube app is not open in the foreground. The premium version is currently priced at 11.99 euros per month.

Dissatisfaction with paywall

Discussions on Reddit as well as on Twitter show that users are not at all happy with the disappearance of 4K videos from the free version of YouTube. Already in the past, displeasure was often expressed regarding Google’s decisions regarding YouTube. In particular, the abolition of the Dislike button had provoked widespread criticism. However, Google was not impressed by this and did not reverse its own decision. In the present case, the further development remains to be seen – however, it is not necessarily to be expected that Google will be swayed by user protests if the test results are positive from the company’s point of view.