WhatsApp new features: From subscription plan to chat bubbles, everything you can expect

After introducing numerous features, WhatsApp is now testing a redesigned chat interface as well as several new features. The new changes are currently being rolled out to select beta testers on Android and iOS, and they include visual enhancements, new customisation and features tied to possible premium subscription plans. The company may also include chat bubbles, which appear more rounded and modern. Along with the redesign, WhatsApp is developing expanded pinned chats, more ringtones, improved search tools, and new sticker discovery skills. Here is what we know so far.

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What is chat bubble design?

WhatsApp is reportedly introducing a refreshed look for message bubbles. The redesign focuses on softer, rounded edges that replace the older more angular appearance. Media, including photos and videos, will also get displayed differently, appearing as standalone bubbles rather than being enclosed in traditional message frames. With this, the company aims to offer a cleaner and more modern interface to make conversations feel visually smoother.

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Status updates from recent unsaved contacts

The app is reportedly also expanding how status updates work. The users may now be able to get status updates from phone numbers they have recently interacted with, even if those contacts are not saved in the contact list. But the visibility will reportedly be limited. It will only appear if the interaction was recent and the feature automatically stops sharing updates when the interaction is no longer considered recent.

New subscription

Along with these changes, the platform may introduce a potential premium subscription. The feature is currently under testing and some users can already sign up to be notified when the service becomes available. The premium plan may unlock new features, such as increasing the number of pinned chats.

Custom ringtones for calls

The Meta-owned platform may also introduce new ringtones for voice and video calls. While users can already change call ringtones, the premium version may include a wider selection of exclusive sounds. These ringtones are intended specifically for calls within the app and will not apply to message notifications. The platform may bring a better search interface and smarter sticker suggestions.

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Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile