Microsoft 365 Consumer Subscriptions Get a Price Increase And New Copilot Features in Select Markets

Microsoft is upgrading its Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions with new Copilot features in select Asian countries. Subscribers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will get monthly AI credits for using Copilot and Designer features in Office, as well as other AI features in Paint, Photos, and Notepad. However, Microsoft is also increasing the price of its Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions in these markets.

“It’s been nine months since we introduced consumers to Copilot in our Microsoft 365 apps via Copilot Pro. We’ve spent that time adding new features, improving performance, and listening carefully to customer feedback. Based on that feedback, we’re making Copilot part of our Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions,” the company explained on its Microsoft Asia blog.

In the aforementioned markets, a Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscription will unlock Copilot features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, as well as Designer features in Word, PowerPoint and the standalone Designer app. For Microsoft 365 Family subscribers, these AI features will only be available to the subscription owner.

Again, Microsoft 365 subscribers in these markets will only get 60 AI credits per month to use AI features in Microsoft 365 apps, Notepad, Photos, and Paint. However, consumers can still pay for a separate Copilot Pro subscription to get rid of these monthly usage limits.

As for price increases, they will apply to existing Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers upon their next renewal, and they will vary in each market. While the official announcement doesn’t mention this, ZDNet reported that a “Microsoft 365 Classic” option will be available for consumers who don’t want to pay for more for these Copilot features.

When asked if Microsoft plans to make Copilot part of its Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions in other markets, a company’s spokesperson gave a non-committal answer to ZDNet. “The company has rolled out changes in six markets to listen, learn, and improve. We don’t have anything more to share today.”

Would you be willing to pay more for your Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription in exchange for new Copilot features? Sound off in the comments below.