Google is changing which Gemini models users can access depending on the subscription they have. The biggest change affects people using Gemini for free. From October 9, they will only be able to use Flash-Lite, with the regular Flash and Pro models no longer available on the free tier.
The cheaper AI Plus plan is also losing something. Subscribers paying $4.99 (roughly Rs. 500) a month will continue to get Flash-Lite and Flash, but Gemini Pro will be removed from the plan.
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Google has confirmed the revised model access in an updated support document. For AI Plus customers affected by the change, the company says it will send an email explaining when the new limits will apply to their accounts.
This leaves AI Pro and AI Ultra as the two plans where users can still get the complete Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro lineup.
Gemini Usage Will Depend More On The Task
The changes come as Google continues to move away from treating every Gemini request in the same way.
Earlier this year, the company introduced usage limits that take the amount of processing required by a request into account. In simple terms, a quick question may use less of an allowance than a complicated problem that requires more reasoning. Longer conversations and requests made with more capable models can also consume more of the available quota.
That makes the model restrictions more important for users who regularly rely on Gemini for lengthy or demanding tasks.
Deep Think Moves To The AI Pro Plan
Google is giving AI Pro subscribers something in return, though. Deep Think, which was previously available only to AI Ultra users, is being expanded to the $19.99 (roughly Rs. 1,900) per month AI Pro plan.
The feature is aimed at difficult queries and uses parallel reasoning to work through problems. Since it relies on the Pro model, its arrival on AI Pro gives subscribers access to one of Google's more advanced reasoning features without requiring the much more expensive Ultra subscription.
AI Ultra remains the top-end option, with plans priced at $99.99 (roughly Rs. 9,600) and $199.99 (roughly Rs. 19,300) per month.
There could also be more control over Gemini's reasoning in the future. The app appears to be preparing three different thinking-effort levels: Low, Medium and High.
The idea is fairly straightforward. Users would be able to decide how much effort Gemini should put into a response instead of relying on a fixed level of reasoning. Using a higher setting could, however, consume more of the user's usage allowance.
Gemini already has an Extended Thinking option for difficult problems. Similar controls are also available in Google AI Studio and Antigravity, so the addition to the Gemini app would bring the same sort of control to a wider group of users.
Google Is Also Testing Gemini 4 Argon
Alongside the subscription changes, Google is preparing for a wider rollout of Gemini 4 Argon.
The company is currently giving trusted cybersecurity professionals access to the model through its Fairwind programme. This appears to be part of Google's testing process before making Argon available more broadly.
Paid API customers and AI Ultra subscribers are expected to get access later. There is still one important question, though: Google has not confirmed whether Gemini 4 Argon will eventually be included with AI Pro.
It is also possible that Argon could sit above Pro as part of a new, more expensive tier. For now, Google has not revealed where the model will fit into its subscription lineup.
The upcoming changes show a clear shift in how Google is positioning Gemini. Free users are being pushed towards Flash-Lite, AI Plus is becoming more limited, while the higher-priced AI Pro and Ultra plans are getting access to Google's more capable models and features