Apple Music is increasing the value of its student offering. An increase that (currently) only applies to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
There are many music streaming services on the market today, each with their own catalog and features. If these two elements are to be considered when choosing a platform, price is obviously the determining factor. Apple Music, for example, has a special offer for students. Prices are currently rising in some countries.
Apple Music raises the value of its student offering
Thus, the Apple Music student offer will increase in price in some regions of the globe. As developer Michael Burkhardt and 9to5Mac noted, the Cupertino-based company quietly raised the price of a student-only offer. This amounts to $5 to $6 per month in the US and Canada, and £5 to $6 in the UK. It is difficult to say exactly when or even why this change occurred, but it happened very recently. Contacted about this, the apple brand has not (yet) been contacted.
The student offer was introduced in 2016. It offers all the features of Apple Music to those who can verify student status at a more attractive price. Right now, subscribers are even eligible for Apple TV+ as a bonus, but it’s a “limited-time offer”so it could end at any time. Last May, Apple raised prices in countries such as India, New Zealand and South Africa.
An increase that (currently) only applies to the US, Canada and the UK.
This price increase is actually making it harder for Apple Music to sell. Spotify Student Premium is currently offered for $5/month in the US at the time of this writing and includes a Hulu subscription (with ads) as well as Showtime. While there are some advantages to choosing Apple Music over the competition (notably deeper integration with Apple devices), the offering may no longer be as attractive to those looking for better value for money.
Whether or not this price increase will carry over to France, and when, is another story altogether.