The evolution of YouTube has come a long way and is going further. With numerous YouTube Premium updates, the new features set to launch are exciting and interesting. By enhancing the way the app works and upgrading the user experience, YouTube is ready to integrate well with AI. Now, the users can expect AI based conversations, music playlists customized to their mood, high speed, jump ahead to the most watched parts and much more.
Adding to enhanced accessibility, the combined YouTube Premium and Google One Bundle offer is also set to launch. Get the best of both worlds with a single payment! The features are currently experimental and temporary, so find out what they are all about and begin content creation before time runs out.
What’s New in the YouTube Premium 2025 Update?
The YouTube premium updates for the members are as follows:
High-Quality Audio at 256kbps
Users who rely on music streaming to work, create a soothing environment around them, or sleep will gain an immersive experience with this feature. Premium members will gain access to high-quality 256 kbps audio on eligible music videos. The different options to choose from include:
- Low: Uses the least amount of device storage with a bitrate of 48 kbps AAC & OPUS
- Normal: It is the default setting with a bitrate of 128 kbps AAC & OPUS
- High: Consumes more space and offers the best quality audio with a bitrate of 256 kbps AAC & OPUS
Last date to use the feature: February 22, 2025.
Faster Playback Speed (Up to 4x)
Specific to mobile devices but common to both iOS and Android (5.0 or above) users, the feature allows setting double the maximum speed possible for non-premium users. The YouTube premium members can use it to have quick access to information on the go, skim through the long videos, or revisit the content that has already been accessed. The playback speed option will be up to 4x.
Last date to use the feature: February 26, 2025.
Exclusive Features for iOS Users
A few of the YouTube premium features are available only for iOS users. If you are the one or planning to get an iPhone, here’s what to expect and up to what time.
Smart Downloads for Shorts
It is one of the best YouTube premium features if you are in a poor internet connectivity area or offline due to some issues. While the manual download feature is available to all users, the automatic download of the recommended YouTube Shorts for uninterrupted scrolling is available for premium users. It is switched ‘on’ by default for these users and comes with the flexibility to choose the download quality.
Further, users can also opt to ‘Download over Wi-Fi only’ or not. Deleting the downloaded content is also accessible to free up mobile storage space. The feature is available for offline Shorts viewing on mobile devices only, and the content remains available to play for up to 29 days without the internet. The recommendations are based on the viewing patterns and history.
Last date to use the feature: February 19, 2025.
Picture-in-Picture for Shorts
This YouTube premium feature encourages and improves the multitasking experience for the users. Allowing texting while viewing Shorts or doing anything else is possible for premium members on iOS devices. The option can be switched on or off at the user’s convenience.
To make use of the feature, start playing the video and exit the app. The smaller window will appear automatically at the bottom of the screen. It can be dragged across the screen and enlarged and shrunk for adjustment as per the user’s flexible demands. Users can directly stop the video or return to YouTube by clicking on the window.
Last date to use the feature: February 19, 2025.
Video for Picture in Picture on Mobile Device
How to use picture-in-picture on your mobile device
New Web-Based Feature: Jump Ahead to the Most Watched Segments
The YouTube premium update is available for both smartphone and web browser users. The YouTube premium feature allows direct access to the important parts of the content, which refers to the most watched video segments. This AI-powered jump-ahead option is available when the user skips or proceeds with the video. Direct skipping saves time and keeps the audience from being bored. It also eliminates the need to manually skim through the content and hunt for the engaging part.
Last date to use the feature: February 5, 2025.
Upcoming Bundle Offer: YouTube Premium + Google One
Google and YouTube users have more offerings stored in them. It’s the Google One Bundle offer. Discover more about it here.
What is the Google One Bundle Offer?
Individuals possessing Google One Premium membership or other higher premium memberships can avail of an additional benefit of YouTube Premium. The subscription can be obtained by eligible members residing in the United States only. The YouTube Premium members get more benefits such as:
- Access to ad-free YouTube
- 2TB of cloud storage
- Access to Google One features
Expansion of Popular AI Features
Users can also expect additional AI-based features from YouTube that will make app usage more fun and interesting. Here is an insight into such features:
Ask Music (AI-Powered Personalized Music)
This YouTube premium feature on YouTube Music will allow you to generate a music playlist based on the text based prompts. Choose the style, mood or situation or simply describe your needs to get a personalized radio for you. The AI feature will create a custom mix of music based on your history that is specific to the requirements.
It will include the music that you love and the new favorite ones. If you love the radio, save it for the future. Not much impressed? Type in the new prompt to get a different customized set. The feature will be available to users based in the UK and Ireland.
Conversational AI on iOS
The iPhone users will gain access to this AI assistant tool. The tool will be capable of performing numerous tasks related to the content being played, such as summarizing information, answering questions, carrying out conversations, recommending related content, and more. All of this will be possible while simultaneously playing the content and without leaving the app.
Conclusion
YouTube Premium members get multiple features when buying subscriptions. Some of the key ones that make the app usage more exciting include skipping to the most engaging part of long videos, high-quality audio at 256 kbps and faster playback speed, available for both Android and iOS users. The iOS-exclusive features include a smart download option and picture-in-picture for Shorts. While they are available for a limited time to gain feedback and improve the customer experience, the expansion of popular features is also expected.
For content creators, the features are certain to attract a larger audience. Offering feedback will ensure better options for both creators and audiences. Further, if you are strategizing to increase your views and subscribers, planning accordingly and using them up to their full potential till they last is the best move. Also, leverage the YouTube Video Promotion Platform to promote YouTube music videos and promote YouTube gaming video. Click the link to get the growing numbers on your channel.