Google limits free Gemini access to Flash Lite and removes Pro from low-cost AI Plus plan
Starting Oct. 9, Google will restrict free Gemini users to the Flash Lite model and require a $4.99 AI Plus subscription for the standard Flash model, while the Pro model will be available only to higher-tier subscribers.
From Oct. 9, Google will confine users on its free Gemini plan to the Flash Lite version, ending the current option to select between Flash Lite, Flash and Pro models. Access to the standard Flash model will require a $4.99-per-month Google AI Plus subscription, which will also cease to include the Gemini Pro model. Google said AI Plus subscribers will receive an email notifying them of the upcoming change.
The Gemini Pro model and the “Deep Think” advanced-reasoning feature will be limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions, priced at $19.99 and $99.99 per month respectively. Google added that users can still choose low, medium or high effort settings for each model, but higher effort usage may deplete their Gemini usage limits more quickly.