Google’s attempts to convert customers into YouTube Premium subscriptions are a joke to the community. The company does it all with multiple banners promoting Premium, and increasing the number of non-skippable ads creators can use in their videos may be seen by some as a light attempt to attract more subscribers. Looks like Google has found another way to make you consider purchasing Premium. A lengthy Reddit thread reveals the company’s plan to make 4K video streaming exclusive to YouTube Premium.

Redditor u/Ihatessmokealarms posted a screenshot from the YouTube app on iPhone showing the 2160p (4K) option labeled “Premium” with a “Tap to raise” link. Several other users have reported similar findings on their devices. We checked (signed in and out) YouTube apps on our devices and were unable to verify the claim.

Google has yet to confirm its intention to make 4K streaming exclusive to Premium. Most likely the company is experimenting with the change (spoiler: no) to see the public’s reaction and decide whether to make 4K videos exclusive to YouTube Premium. We also don’t know if Google wants to put 4K behind the payment screen only on smartphones, or if these changes will apply to any device that can play YouTube videos.

While some would rightly argue that no one uses 4K streaming on their smartphones, making the high-definition option a paid advantage would certainly upset those who watch YouTube on TVs and computers. Source