Google One Lite: New Budget-Friendly Cloud Storage Plan Leaked
Google appears to be working on a new entry-level tier for its cloud storage service, according to recent findings in the Google Photos app code. The potential Google One Lite plan could offer users a more affordable option for expanded storage and premium features.
Key Points:
- References to Google One Lite discovered in Google Photos app v6.92
- New tier likely to coexist with current Basic, Standard, Premium, and AI Premium plans
- Exact storage amount and pricing details remain unknown
What We Know So Far
The existence of a Google One Lite plan was uncovered through an APK teardown of the latest Google Photos app update. While specific details are scarce, the new tier is expected to fit below the current Basic plan, which offers 100GB of storage for $1.99/month.
Google One currently provides expanded cloud storage across various Google services, including Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. The introduction of a Lite plan could make these benefits more accessible to budget-conscious users.
Potential Features and Pricing
Given the Lite moniker, this new plan is likely to offer:
- Storage capacity between 15GB (free tier) and 100GB (Basic plan)
- Limited premium features, possibly focused on Google Photos
- A price point below $1.99/month
One intriguing possibility is that Google One Lite could bundle specific Google Photos features without significantly increasing storage. This might include:
- Additional Magic Editor saves (currently limited to 10/month for free users)
- Access to select AI-powered editing tools
Implications for Google's Strategy
The introduction of a Lite plan could signal several strategic moves by Google:
- Expanding the user base for premium services
- Creating an easier upgrade path from free accounts
- Potentially bundling the plan with future Pixel devices
What's Next?
Google has not officially announced or confirmed the Google One Lite plan. As the company prepares for its upcoming Pixel 9 launch, we may see more details emerge about potential changes to the Google One subscription structure.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.