YouTube Premium is expanding its feature set once again, and this time the improvements are reaching more platforms and device types. According to a recent community thread post, subscribers can expect a mix of audio upgrades, smarter playback tools, and new Shorts features rolling out across Android, iOS, the web, and even smart TVs. The additions continue YouTube’s strategy of layering more value into its subscription service beyond ad-free viewing, downloads, and background play.
One of the most notable upgrades is the arrival of higher-quality audio streaming at 256 Kbps, which promises a more immersive experience. While this enhancement was previously confined to YouTube Music and a limited opt-in test on YouTube itself, it is now rolling out more broadly to YouTube apps on Android and iOS. The catch is that it only applies to official or premium music videos and Art Tracks. Still, the improvement signals that YouTube is serious about competing with dedicated music services in terms of sound quality.
Other playback improvements include expanded speed controls, which now allow users to fine-tune playback in 0.05x increments up to 4x speed. This option, once limited to mobile devices, is now available on Android, iOS, and web browsers. Meanwhile, the AI-powered skip forward feature—designed to jump directly to key highlights of a video—has been extended to smart TVs and gaming consoles, giving users on the big screen the same ability to cut to the chase that mobile and web users already enjoy.
For Shorts fans, two mobile-focused features are being finalized. Smart Downloads will automatically save new Shorts based on your viewing history, ensuring fresh content is always available offline. Initially limited to Android and tested on iOS, this is now widely available on iPhones as well. Additionally, Picture-in-Picture playback for Shorts is expanding from Android to iOS, letting viewers continue watching a short clip in a small floating window while browsing other videos or apps.
As for cost, YouTube Premium remains $13.99/month or $139.99/year for individuals, with family plans at $22.99/month and student pricing at $7.99/month. Google is also experimenting with YouTube Premium Lite, a stripped-down version that removes ads but doesn’t include most of the extra perks—and still leaves some ads in certain areas of the platform. For those who value the extras like higher-quality audio, background play, and offline downloads, the full Premium package continues to offer the most complete experience.
