Google will limit free Gemini users to Flash Lite starting Oct. 9

In short: Google is changing Gemini so free users only get the Flash Lite model, and some paid users will lose access to Gemini Pro.

What happened

Starting October 9, people using Google Gemini on the free plan will be limited to the Flash Lite model, according to Google support information cited by The Verge. Until now, free users could choose between Flash Lite, Flash, and Pro.

After the change, the standard Flash model will require a Google AI Plus subscription that costs $4.99 per month. Think of these “models” like different engine options in the same car, with some faster and more capable than others.

Google is also downgrading the $4.99 AI Plus plan. It will soon stop including access to Gemini Pro. Google says AI Plus subscribers will get an email telling them when they will lose Gemini Pro access.

Going forward, Gemini Pro and an option called “Deep Think” will be limited to higher priced subscriptions. Google AI Pro costs $19.99 per month, and Google AI Ultra costs $99.99 per month. “Deep Think” is described as advanced reasoning, which is another way of saying the AI spends more effort to work through harder questions.

Google also says users will still be able to choose low, medium, or high “effort” levels for each model. Using higher effort can use up your Gemini usage limit faster, similar to how streaming in higher video quality can eat through a data cap more quickly.

Why it matters

If you use Gemini for free, you may notice answers change because you will no longer be able to pick the same model you used before. If you pay $4.99 today expecting Gemini Pro, you may need to move to a more expensive plan to keep it.

Source: The Verge AI