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Google One crossed 150 million subscribers by May 15, 2025, according to figures Google provided to Reuters. That was 50% above the more than 100 million subscribers Google reported in February 2024. Google also said its Google One AI Premium plan had attracted “millions” of subscribers—but it did not disclose an exact number or say how much of the 50-million increase came from AI.
The milestone shows that Google can use its storage business to distribute and monetize Gemini. It does not prove that AI alone drove Google One’s growth, nor does it reveal how many customers were paying rather than using a trial or promotion.
What Google actually announced
The figure was 150 million Google One subscribers, not 150 million AI subscribers. Reuters reported the milestone on May 15, 2025, citing comments from Google Vice President Shimrit Ben-Yair. Google said that “millions” of subscribers had signed up for AI Premium, the higher-priced Google One tier that included Gemini benefits.
Those are two different measurements:
- 150 million: Google One subscribers across the service’s storage and premium plans.
- “Millions”: An imprecise description of AI Premium subscribers, with no exact total published.
The public information does not show how many of the 150 million were storage-only customers, AI customers, family-plan members, upgrades, or promotional users. It also does not explain whether every counted subscription represented a full-price paying customer or whether some trials were included.
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- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
See the Reuters report and contemporary coverage of Google’s announcement for the original milestone reporting.
How quickly did Google One grow?
| Date | Reported milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2018 | Google One launched. |
| February 2024 | Google reported more than 100 million subscribers. |
| May 2025 | Google said the service had recently crossed 150 million subscribers. |
Using the two reported milestones, Google One added roughly 50 million subscribers, equivalent to a 50% increase, over about 15 months. The comparison is notable: the service took nearly six years to reach 100 million, then added another 50 million in approximately 15 months.
That is not a complete cohort or retention analysis. The figures may reflect different reporting dates, counting methods, plan types, family arrangements, or promotional activity. They show the scale of growth, but not precisely why each subscription was added or how long customers remained subscribed.
Google One launched in May 2018, but that date should not be interpreted as the beginning of Google’s entire paid cloud-storage business. Google had offered paid storage before the Google One branding.
What Google One includes
Google One is broader than an AI subscription. Depending on the plan and market, it can provide:
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- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
- Additional cloud storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
- Premium Google Photos tools and other account benefits.
- Google Workspace-related features.
- Gemini and other AI capabilities on higher tiers.
- Family sharing, with Google’s current plan page advertising sharing with up to five additional people, subject to eligibility and feature-specific rules.
This matters when interpreting the 150-million number. A customer may have subscribed because their Photos library or Gmail account exceeded free storage, then received AI as part of an upgrade. Another customer may have joined primarily for Gemini. Google has not published the mix.
What AI Premium offered at launch
Google introduced Google One AI Premium in February 2024 at a US launch price of $19.99 per month. That was the historical launch price—not necessarily the current price in 2026.
The original bundle included:
- 2 TB of Google One storage.
- Gemini Advanced, using Google’s then-leading Ultra 1.0 model.
- Gemini features in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Meet.
- Access to Workspace integrations initially described as available in more than 150 countries and initially in English.
- A two-month trial for eligible users at launch.
Google’s February 2024 announcement described the original plan and its included features. Those model names, limits, integrations, and benefits have since changed.
What does “millions with AI Premium” tell us?
It tells us that AI Premium achieved meaningful distribution. It does not tell us whether it had two million, five million, or another number of subscribers. Nor does it reveal how many were paying at the standard rate, using a trial, or receiving a promotion.
For that reason, the following calculations cannot be made from the available disclosure:
- AI Premium’s exact share of Google One subscribers.
- AI Premium’s exact share of the 50-million increase.
- AI Premium revenue or average revenue per subscriber.
- Conversion from a trial to a paid subscription.
- Retention or cancellation rates.
It is reasonable to say that AI helped Google’s subscription strategy and may have accelerated Google One’s growth. It is not supported to say that Google added 50 million AI subscribers or that AI caused the entire increase.
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| Supported by the reporting | Plausible but unproven | Not disclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Google One reached 150 million subscribers. | AI Premium helped accelerate growth. | The exact AI Premium subscriber count. |
| AI Premium attracted “millions.” | Storage customers upgraded for Gemini. | Paid versus trial subscribers. |
| The growth followed the AI Premium launch. | AI was responsible for a substantial portion of new subscriptions. | AI’s share of the 50-million increase. |
Why bundle AI with storage?
Google’s approach combines a familiar recurring storage need with a newer AI product. That creates several business advantages.
It lowers the perceived price of Gemini
A customer who already needs more Drive, Gmail, or Photos storage may view the AI features as an added benefit rather than paying separately for a chatbot. The bundle therefore competes on total utility, not just on the quality or price of an AI model.
It uses Google’s existing customer base
Google already has a large audience using Gmail, Drive, Photos, and Workspace-related tools. Embedding Gemini into those products gives Google a direct path to market instead of requiring every AI customer to discover and adopt a separate application.
It makes AI more useful inside daily workflows
Gemini in Gmail or Docs can be more compelling to some users than a standalone assistant because it is placed next to the files, messages, and documents they already use. That convenience can support upgrades even when customers would not buy a chatbot on its own.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
It strengthens ecosystem switching costs
Cloud storage creates a practical reason to remain in Google’s ecosystem. Customers with years of photos, email, and files may be less willing to cancel or move providers, particularly when storage, family sharing, and AI benefits are combined.
Subscriptions also provide a recurring-revenue stream alongside Google’s advertising business. That does not mean Google is replacing advertising with subscriptions or that Google One’s standalone profitability has been disclosed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.AI Premium is no longer the current name
Google’s current consumer plan documentation says the former Google One AI Premium plan has a new name: Google AI Plus. The current consumer AI lineup is presented as:
- Google AI Plus, listed with 400 GB of storage.
- Google AI Pro, listed with 5 TB of storage and expanded Gemini and Google-app benefits.
- Google AI Ultra, starting with 20 TB of storage and higher limits and additional benefits in eligible markets.
Google AI Pro may include expanded access to Gemini, Gemini features in Google apps, higher limits in AI Studio, and YouTube Premium Lite in eligible countries. Ultra includes a different and broader set of benefits, with availability varying by market.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe current plan page also says Google AI Plus is available in more than 160 countries and Google AI Pro in more than 150 countries, but individual features can be available in fewer locations. Age, language, product, and country restrictions apply. Consumer Google AI plans are intended for personal Google Accounts; Workspace customers may need an appropriate Gemini add-on instead.
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Check Google’s current plan page and Gemini updates page before subscribing. Prices and included features can change, and the current page does not make the historical $19.99 AI Premium launch price a reliable current-price reference.
Who might benefit from a Google AI plan?
A Google AI plan is most likely to make financial sense for someone who already pays for Google storage and uses Google’s productivity apps regularly. The bundle may be particularly useful if you want AI assistance in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, or Meet, need more storage anyway, or can make meaningful use of family sharing.
A standalone AI subscription may be a better comparison if you only want a chatbot, already pay for storage elsewhere, use a mixed Apple/Microsoft/Google setup, or care more about a particular AI workflow than Google ecosystem integration.
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Important checks before subscribing
- Confirm the current price in your country and currency.
- Check whether the AI feature you want is available in your country, language, and age group.
- Review model access and usage limits; “more access” does not mean unlimited use.
- Confirm whether family members receive the specific AI benefits you expect, rather than assuming every benefit is shared identically.
- Check how an existing YouTube membership interacts with any bundled benefit.
- If you use a company-managed Workspace account, confirm that a consumer plan can be used—or review the relevant Workspace offering.
- Think carefully before uploading confidential business, financial, medical, or personal information to a consumer AI service.
What the 150-million milestone really means
Google One’s growth is an important distribution milestone for Google’s consumer ecosystem and evidence that AI can be attached to a large recurring subscription business. The “millions” figure also suggests that some customers were willing to pay for—or at least try—a bundle that included Gemini.
But the headline does not answer the more important business questions: how many AI customers pay after trials, how much they pay, whether they remain subscribed, and how much of Google One’s growth came from storage demand rather than AI.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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