Microsoft tests 45% M365 price hikes in Asia-Pacific to see how much you enjoy AI
Microsoft has advised users of its M365 suite in six Asia-Pacific nations that they face big price rises when they renew subscriptions, and says the hikes are needed to “ensure Microsoft customers are among the first to access powerful AI features in our apps."
News of the price rises arrived in emails sent to subscribers last week. Your correspondent received one for an annual Microsoft 365 Family subscription that, when I next renew, will rise from AU$139.00 to AU$179 ($85.50 to $110) – just under 29 percent.
The Register has also seen screenshots of emails sent to holders of M365 Personal subscriptions that will rise from AU$109.00 to AU$159 ($67 to $98) or almost 46 percent. Microsoft's Australian web site lists $159 and $179 as the current price points for Personal and Family subscriptions.
These price changes reflect the extensive subscription benefits that Microsoft has added over the past 12 years including advanced security with Microsoft Defender, creative tools like Clipchamp, and countless enhancements to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, in addition to new features such as Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Designer.
