With the release of the latest iOS 152 update comes the new Voice Plan, a new Apple Music subscription plan announced in October Users can now enjoy access to the same 90 million song library for half the price of the standard individual plan, at just $499 per month

Like the individual plan (priced at $999/month), users can also listen to Apple Music Radio, new mood playlists, and activity playlists However, unlike other subscription options, the Voice Plan allows music to be played only through Siri Therefore, each time you want to listen to a song, you must use voice commands to play it

Let's break down the drawbacks The biggest drawback is the limited user interface While it is possible to search for artists, albums, and songs, the Music app is limited to short song previews It also does not allow users to create their own playlists or download songs for offline listening Spacial or lossless audio is also not available with this plan

On the other hand, the new plan is a more affordable option for people who control Apple Music with CarPlay or voice commands on devices such as the HomePod and AirPods 3 The Apple Music voice plan is designed for people who listen to music while working out, driving, or telecommuting, in other words It may be a more suitable option for those who listen to music, in other words, those in situations where they are more comfortable speaking out loud to Siri whenever they need to

To subscribe to the Voice Plan, you will need to make sure that your Apple device has the latest iOS 152 update installed You should then be able to sign up by saying "Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice Plan trial" or by accessing the "Listen Now" tab from the Music app first-time users of Apple Music will have 7 days of free access to the Voice Plan access for free, but they can extend this to a three-month trial by turning on auto-renewal and signing up for a monthly fee

Existing Apple Music subscribers can also downgrade to a new plan by tapping their profile icon on the "Listen Now" tab, then going to "Manage Subscriptions" and selecting the Apple Music Voice plan

If you are unsure if the Voice plan is right for you, or if you are considering downgrading from the $999 individual plan, we can help I have been testing the Siri-only Apple Music subscription plan since its launch with a 7-day free trial

I primarily used the Apple Music Voice Plan through my Home Pod mini while cooking, cleaning, and working out at home As a big fan of voice assistants, I am no stranger to using voice commands to play music Naturally, using Voice Plan was seamless I also enjoyed the mood and activity playlists when I ran out of songs to listen to

Outside of the home, however, the lack of a visual UI bothered me a bit; while I could use Voice Plan on my AirPods Pro, the fact that I had to ask Siri to play a song was mildly frustrating And frankly, I was a little uncomfortable talking to Siri in public

My judgment is that for those who are comfortable with Siri and are willing to sacrifice offline listening, it is worth it to opt for the Voice Plan and save $5 per month However, if you are someone who needs the visuals of a music library and the ability to create your own playlists, you may be better off with the Personal plan