X Doubles Premium+ Plan Prices Following xAI’s Grok 3 Release

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has released its latest artificial intelligence model, Grok 3, and with it comes a significant price hike for X’s Premium+ subscription plan. The move comes as xAI introduces new features for Grok 3, including advanced reasoning capabilities. So what’s new in Grok 3? What makes it so special, and is it really worth the steep price tag? Please continue reading to find out!

What’s New in Grok 3?

Grok 3 is being touted as a major leap forward in AI technology. According to xAI, the model boasts “more than 10 times” the computing power of its predecessor, Grok 2, and outperforms competitors like OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Google’s Gemini, and DeepSeek’s V3 in early testing. Key features include:

• Advanced Reasoning: Grok 3 can break down complex questions into smaller tasks and fact-check itself before providing answers.
• Two Reasoning Modes: The “Think” mode displays Grok’s reasoning process in real-time, while the “Big Brain” mode handles more computationally intensive tasks.
• Deep Search: A next-generation search engine designed to deliver more accurate and comprehensive results.

Elon Musk has described Grok 3 as “maximally truth-seeking,” even if that truth conflicts with political correctness. However, previous versions of Grok have faced criticism for spreading misinformation and generating offensive content. This is raising questions about how this new model will balance truth-seeking with ethical safeguards.

Pricing Confusion and Subscription Options

The plan, which grants users access to Grok 3, has seen its monthly cost nearly double to $50 in the U.S., with an annual subscription now priced at $350. This marks the second price increase for the Premium+ plan in just a few months, following a December hike from $16 to $22 per month. However, some of Grok 3’s most advanced features, such as “Big Brain” reasoning, will be locked behind a separate subscription tier called SuperGrok. This is expected to cost an additional $30 per month.

While X’s support page lists the Premium+ plan at $50 per month, users have reported inconsistencies in pricing. Some have seen monthly costs ranging from $39.83 to $48.40 during the sign-up process, with annual subscriptions priced at $395 on the final checkout page. This lack of clarity has left many subscribers frustrated.

In addition to Premium+, xAI is introducing the SuperGrok plan, which promises early access to new features and the most advanced capabilities. However, it remains unclear whether SuperGrok is an add-on to existing X subscriptions or a standalone offering.

Grok 3’s Creative Edge and Future Updates

During the launch event, Elon Musk highlighted Grok 3’s creative capabilities. He showcased its ability to design a new game that combines elements of Tetris and Puyo Puyo. He also teased upcoming features, including a synthesized voice mode similar to OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode for ChatGPT, which is expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

Musk emphasized that Grok 3 is a work in progress, with daily improvements being made. “If you’re looking for a more polished version, it might be worth waiting a week,” he said. “But expect improvements every day.”

The Bigger Picture

The release of Grok 3 and the accompanying price hikes underscore X’s strategy to monetize its AI offerings while competing with industry giants like OpenAI and Google. With xAI planning to open-source Grok 2 in the coming months and Grok 3 already making waves, the AI landscape is set to become even more competitive.

For now, X Premium+ subscribers will need to weigh the benefits of accessing Grok 3 against the significantly higher costs. As xAI continues to refine its models and introduce new features, the question remains: will users be willing to pay a premium for what Musk calls “The smartest AI on Earth”?

Stay tuned for more updates on Grok 3 and its evolving capabilities as xAI pushes the boundaries of artificial intelligence.

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