Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 05: Google is set to change how users access Gemini AI models from October 9, 2026. Notably, the changes will affect free Gemini users as well as Google AI Plus subscribers.
Google said on its support page that changes to model availability in Gemini Apps will begin taking effect for users without an AI subscription from October 9. AI Plus subscribers will receive an email with details on when the changes will apply to their personal Google accounts.
Under the revised plan structure, free Gemini users will be limited to the smaller Flash-lite models. Google AI Plus subscribers, which cost Rs 399 per month in India, will have access to Flash-Lite and Flash models. However, they will no longer have access to Gemini Pro models, including Gemini 3 Pro.
Users who want access to larger and more powerful Gemini models will need to subscribe to Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra. The AI Pro plan costs Rs 1,950 per month in India. Meanwhile, the AI Ultra is priced at Rs 6,500 per month. Both plans will continue to offer access to Flash-Lite, Flash, and Pro models.
Google is also introducing new controls for model effort levels in the Gemini app. Users will be able to choose low, medium, or high effort for available models. Higher effort levels are designed to produce more detailed responses and handle complex tasks. However, they will consume more of the user’s usage limit.
It is noteworthy mentioning that the changes come shortly after Google announced Gemini 4 Argon, which it describes as its most powerful AI model yet. Argon is currently available only to select partners under a limited release.
