Snapchat’s New Subscription Offers Hundreds of Exclusive Lenses
▼ Summary
– Snapchat introduced Lens Plus, a new $8.99/month subscription tier offering exclusive lenses and AR experiences, including AI-powered and Bitmoji game lenses.
– Lens Plus includes the same benefits as Snapchat Plus ($3.99/month), such as early access to features and customization options like chat wallpapers.
– Snap plans to release its AR glasses, Specs, to the public in 2026, aiming to differentiate them through its extensive lens developer community (400,000 creators).
– Lens Plus will feature weekly updates with new AR experiences and plans to compensate creators for exclusive lens content.
– The subscription initially offers lenses from Snapchat and select creators, providing access to hundreds of unique AR options.
Snapchat is expanding its premium offerings with a new subscription service that unlocks hundreds of exclusive augmented reality lenses. The Lens Plus tier, priced at $8.99 per month, grants users access to a curated library of AR experiences developed by both Snapchat and select creators. Among the initial lineup are an AI-powered video lens and an interactive Bitmoji game lens, designed to enhance user engagement.
Subscribers to Lens Plus will also enjoy all the perks of Snapchat Plus, the platform’s existing $3.99/month subscription. These benefits include early access to experimental features, custom chat wallpapers, and personalized Bitmoji backgrounds. The move signals Snapchat’s push to monetize its AR ecosystem while rewarding creators who contribute exclusive content.
The announcement follows Snap’s recent revelation about its AR glasses, Spectacles, slated for public release in 2026. CEO Evan Spiegel emphasized the role of lenses in differentiating Spectacles from competitors, noting that over 400,000 developers are already building AR experiences for Snapchat’s platform. With Lens Plus, the company aims to accelerate innovation by introducing fresh AR content weekly and enabling creators to earn revenue from their exclusive designs.
By blending subscription perks with cutting-edge AR, Snapchat is positioning itself as a leader in immersive social experiences. The strategy not only diversifies revenue streams but also strengthens its appeal to users and developers alike.
(Source: The Verge)
