Google has announced a price increase for its Google One subscription in Pakistan. The Basic plan, offering 100GB of storage, now costs Rs. 419 per month, up from Rs. 219. Annual subscribers will see the change on their next billing date, with the Basic plan now priced at Rs. 4,199 per year.
New Monthly Prices
A Google One subscription provides additional storage for Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, surpassing the standard 15GB available to free accounts. Higher-tier plans offer more features such as unlimited Magic Editor for Photos, Google Workspace Premium, and Gemini Advanced.
Reasons Behind the Price Hike
Rumors suggested that the price increase was linked to Pakistan's exchange rate with the USD. However, this is not accurate for two reasons:
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The exchange rate has remained relatively stable, which does not justify a 100% price increase.
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The pricing update was implemented globally, affecting over 15 countries, not just Pakistan. This includes:
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Australia
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Brazil
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Chile
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Colombia
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Egypt
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Ghana
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Indonesia
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Japan
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Kazakhstan
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Mexico
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Nigeria
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Paraguay
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Peru
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Philippines
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Sri Lanka
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Türkiye
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United Republic of Tanzania
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Google’s Explanation
According to Google’s support page, the price increase is due to the rising cost of providing reliable and secure cloud storage and related services. This includes infrastructure maintenance, data center expansion, and the development of new features.
Note for Current Subscribers:
When current Google One members renew their subscription on or after March 21, 2025, they will be charged the new price. If existing members do not wish to renew their subscription at the new price, they can cancel their membership on or before March 20, 2025.
