The latest

Meta has launched Meta One in the United Arab Emirates, placing the country among the first markets for its expanded subscription offering across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and artificial intelligence services. The rollout keeps the core social networks and standard Meta AI access free, while charging for added personalization, messaging functions, analytics, business tools and higher AI usage limits. Meta says its phased paid-services rollout has recorded more than 15 million subscriptions and trials globally.

Details

• Entry-level plans: WhatsApp Plus costs AED 5.99 a month, while Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus each cost AED 7.99. WhatsApp subscribers receive exclusive themes, icons and special-effect stickers, plus more pinned conversations. Tests include expanded chat and media backup storage and Focus Schedules, which mute or hide selected conversations at preset times.
• Platform extras: Instagram Plus adds custom fonts for direct messages and Stories, alerts when selected users view Stories, and direct-message previews. Facebook Plus includes additional Messenger customization, expanded Reels analytics and more reactions across Reels and Feed posts. The paid features supplement rather than replace the platforms’ core functions.
• AI bundles: Meta One Core is AED 22.99 monthly and Premium is AED 76.99. Both combine the three Plus packages with greater access to image generation, image editing and video creation through Muse. They also increase allowances for Instagram’s Restyle feature and other AI creative functions, including voice effects.
• Commercial tiers: Meta One Essential starts at AED 46.99 a month, Advanced costs AED 119 and Expert reaches AED 359. Essential expands access to Meta Business Agent on WhatsApp for automated customer responses. Eligible accounts can also receive verification features and added impersonation protection.
• Business toolkit: Advanced offers Story scheduling up to 30 days ahead, links in organic posts and Reels, analytics exports and more detailed audience data. Teams can access accounts without sharing passwords. Other WhatsApp benefits include more linked devices, broadcast credits and higher Meta Business Agent response capacity.
• Ecosystem reach: Business profiles can display websites, locations and customer feedback, while automatically inviting engaged users to follow an account. Meta says the subscription model connects tools used for creator activity, commerce, publishing and customer communication, giving consumers premium features and businesses more productivity, automation and engagement options.

Background

The UAE rollout follows the country’s investment in AI infrastructure and digital transformation. Its highly connected market, large expatriate population and overlapping social-media, messaging, commerce and creator activity give Meta a setting to offer multiple consumer and commercial subscription levels.

What’s next

Meta plans to add benefits for Edits, its video-editing app, including project cloud storage, cross-device synchronization and an AI assistant for analyzing Instagram performance and planning content. Subscription benefits are also planned for Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses; the addition of these products will mark the next expansion beyond its social platforms.