WhatsApp tests rounded chat bubbles as Meta opens premium plan waitlist

WhatsApp is experimenting with a refreshed interface featuring rounded chat bubbles while also introducing a waitlist for a new Premium subscription tier offering additional customization features.

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a subtle yet noticeable design change alongside early preparations for a premium subscription tier. The messaging platform is testing a refreshed interface with more rounded chat bubbles while allowing select users to join a waitlist for an upcoming Premium plan.

According to reports from WhatsApp beta trackers, the new design appears in the Android beta version v2.2.6.10.2. The update replaces the traditional speech-bubble style message boxes with softer, more rounded chat bubbles, giving the interface a cleaner and more modern look.

The redesign removes the pointed “tail” that typically appears on speech bubbles. As a result, messages now align more closely with the edges of the display, reducing unnecessary spacing and improving the overall layout of conversations.

The interface adjustment is part of WhatsApp’s gradual effort to modernize its visual design while maintaining a familiar user experience. Rounded design elements have become increasingly common in mobile applications as developers aim for simpler and more fluid user interfaces.

Alongside the design update, Meta is reportedly preparing to introduce a new WhatsApp Premium tier. The subscription-based plan is expected to offer additional customization options and exclusive features for users willing to pay for the service.

Some of the features rumored for the Premium tier include the ability to use custom app icons, access unique themes and ringtones, and pin more chats than currently allowed in the standard free version of the app.

Beta users may notice a banner or sticker appearing at the top of the Settings section inviting them to join the Premium waitlist. Users who sign up will likely receive early access once the plan officially launches.

While Meta has not announced the official launch date or pricing details for the Premium plan, the move could represent another attempt by the company to monetize WhatsApp, which currently serves billions of users worldwide but has limited revenue streams compared to Meta’s other platforms.

For now, both the rounded chat bubble design and the Premium subscription tier remain in the testing phase, and it is unclear when they will be widely available to all WhatsApp users.