Hey there! If you‘re considering upgrading to Netflix‘s top-tier Premium streaming plan, I‘ll explore exactly what you get for the money. With side-by-side comparisons across the Netflix lineup plus competitor services, you’ll understand where Premium shines…and where it falls short.
You‘ll learn:
- How Premium improves upon lower Netflix tiers
- Which households benefit most from Premium‘s advantages
- How Premium compares to competitors like HBO Max and Disney+
- Predictions from experts on the plan‘s future pricing and features
- When 4K streaming, extra downloads and simultaneous streams warrant spending an extra $4-$13 per month
By the end, you’ll know whether Premium provides strong value or if cheaper plans may fit your needs. Let‘s dive in!
Netflix Premium at a Glance
First, what video quality, device support and other capabilities come with a Premium subscription?
Price: $19.99/month
Video Quality: Up to Ultra HD 4K where available + HDR
Audio Quality: Advanced surround sound like Dolby Atmos
Streams: Up to 4 devices streaming simultaneously
Downloads: Up to 6 devices, perfect for tablets/phones
Account Sharing: Only within your household now
Premium allows more members to stream higher-quality video and take more content on the go. Nice perks if you‘ll use them frequently.
But how exactly does the viewing experience improve over cheaper tiers?
Premium Video & Audio: Major Upgrades from Standard HD
Let‘s compare Premium‘s streaming capabilities up close versus the mid-tier Standard plan:
| Standard HD | Premium Ultra HD | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Up to 1080p | Up to 2160p 4K |
| Bitrate | 5-7.5 Mbps | 25 Mbps Average |
| HDR | ❌ None | ✅ High Dynamic Range Color where available |
| Object-Based Audio | ❌ None | ✅ Dolby Atmos on select titles |
4K HDR at elevated bitrates delivers far more visual detail with expanded color compared to regular 1080p. Plus immersive Dolby Atmos soundtracks increase the cinematic experience.
But your TV and sound system impact real-world results:
- Enjoy full 4K quality with an Ultra HD Premium certified TV and reliable 25+ Mbps internet speeds
- An HDR-capable TV unlocks more dramatic color and contrast
- Connect an Atmos soundbar or surround system to engage spatial audio effects
Without proper gear, those Premium video and audio benefits shrink substantially. Stick to cheaper plans if rocking older 1080p TVs.
Takeaway: Premium allows your fancy 4K TV & audio gear to shine its brightest – crucial for home theater buffs.
Support for More Shared Streams & Downloads
Households with lots of members across multiple devices see concrete advantages from Premium too:
| Standard | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous Streams | 2 Streams | 4 Streams |
| Devices with Downloads | 2 Devices | 6 Devices |
The doubled streams let more people watch shows without interrupting others. Those extra device downloads also prevent fighting over saving limited content offline for travel.
Premium accommodates bigger families way better than Standard. But costs still add up fast if you‘ve got over 6 members expecting flawless simultaneous streaming.
Takeaway: Large families get relief from viewing and download conflicts, but may pay extra fees for complete harmony.
How Premium Fits into the Broader Streaming Market
With streaming cluttered across services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max and Disney+, how does Premium compare on pricing and capabilities?
Here‘s an at-a-glance view:
A few interesting tidbits:
- Hulu and HBO Max match Premium‘s $16-$20 price range but with some limitation disadvantages
- Apple TV+ and Disney+ offer certain features like 4K and downloads cheaper but have much smaller content catalogs
- Prime Video probably comes closest to Premium for under $140/year…if you‘re already paying for Prime membership
No competitors duplicate Premium‘s precise blend of high-end streaming format support with a vast content library completely ad-free. Trade-offs exist across the board.
Takeaway: Premium occupies a unique spot matching or beating competitors on certain capabilities while costing substantially more than basic "good enough" plans elsewhere.
Premium Use Cases: Who Benefits Most From Upgrading?
Given those trade-offs, which viewers gain enough extra satisfaction from premium to rationalize spending extra?
Best Case 1: Home Theater Lovers
Media room owners investing serious money into 4K OLED TVs with fancy Dolby Atmos speakers can finally enjoy reference-quality Netflix content. Why buy superb hardware only to feed it compressed HD video? $20 brings that equipment to life.
Ideal User: Cinephiles who relish theatrical experiences at home
Best Case 2: Large Households
Bigger families with over 4 members battling to all watch or download shows concurrently finally get breathing room. With enough people, those extra streams and downloads quickly repay their monthly premium cost in household peace.
Ideal User: Families needing more simultaneous streams and mobile downloads
Best Case 3: Heavy Mobile Users
Riders of planes, trains and automobiles who "live on the go" have endless content at their fingertips with those 6 downloads per device. No fighting spotty mobile signals to stream mid-commute either.
Ideal User: Traveling households wanting ample offline viewing
There‘s certainly an audience who tangibly benefits going premium. But how about the flip side?
Downsides to Weigh Before Upgrading
Despite advantages for some users, the higher Premium pricing and feature set does carry a few drawbacks to consider:
Con #1: 4 Streams Still Limited for Largest Families
Households exceeding 6 people can still outgrow Premium‘s 4 concurrent streams, especially if device sharing is common. Extra sub accounts quickly get expensive.
Con #2: 4K Library Still Growing
While steadily improving, only 20-30% of the total catalog is available in UHD currently. Subscribers wanting consistent 4K could be disappointed.
Con #3: Most Expensive Streaming Choice
At $20 per month, Premium costs substantially more than competitors‘ basic tiers. Budget viewers may prefer cheaper plans "good enough" for their tastes.
Con #4: Additional Home Fees
Have a vacation home you‘d like to access Premium from too? Be prepared to pay another monthly fee per Netflix‘s recent policy crackdown.
If any cons resonate based on your habits, cheaper plans provide strong utility too.
What Do the Experts Predict for Netflix Premium?
Industry analysts see Premium‘s streaming quality and prices continuing to rise gradually amidst escalating licensing and production expenses:
- "Steady 4K Catalog Growth Ahead" – More titles will get mastered in 4K and Dolby Atmos with improved encoders and artistic focus on premium tiers.
- "Eventual Support for 8K Streaming" – As more households adopt 8K TVs down the road, Premium will again push resolution boundaries.
- "Measured Price Increases Over Time" – Small annual $1-$2 price hikes help offset rising costs but avoid subscriber losses from dramatic spikes.
In short, the premium Netflix experience should continue improving year after year if historical trends hold and subscribers help finance such growth through reasonable fee adjustments.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Upgrade to Premium?
Hopefully now you‘ve got a complete picture on whether springing for Netflix Premium makes sense!
Here‘s a quick checklist to summarize the key questions to ask yourself:
🔎Do you have advanced 4K, HDR and Atmos home theater gear? Premium‘s enhanced formats shine best on comparable TV & audio hardware.
🔎Does your household require over 2-3 simultaneous streams? More concurrent views could justify the price.
🔎Will you utilize those extra mobile downloads? Key for frequent travelers stocking tablets.
🔎Can you afford $5-$15 more than competitors‘ basic plans? Premium sits at the pricier end of streaming options.
If you answered "yes" to most questions above, Netflix Premium likely provides strong value worth upgrading to!
On the flip side, more casual viewers on tight budgets or with basic 1080p TVs may be just as happy saving cash on cheaper Netflix tiers or competitor streaming alternatives.
As always, align your entertainment services with your family‘s gadgets, quality preferences and watching habits to maximize satisfaction per dollar spent. hopefully breaking down Premium in this guide helps steer your decision one way or another!
Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments!
