Phones
Google limits free Gemini to Flash Lite on Oct. 9
Google's free Gemini tier shrinks to Flash Lite on Oct. 9, and the $4.99 plan loses Pro, The Verge reports.
The Verge reports Google is pulling free Gemini users off Flash and Pro. Starting Oct. 9, anyone on a free plan gets Flash Lite only. Free users can currently pick Flash Lite, Flash or Pro. After that date, the standard Flash model requires Google AI Plus at $4.99 a month.
That plan is losing something too. The Verge reports AI Plus subscribers will soon stop getting Gemini Pro. Google says those subscribers will get an email telling them when they lose access. Gemini Pro and the "Deep Think" advanced reasoning option move to Google AI Pro at $19.99 a month or AI Ultra at $99.99 a month.
Google says users can still choose low, medium or high effort levels for each model. The catch: higher effort levels can eat through your Gemini usage limit faster.
What this means for you
- On the free plan: you're on Flash Lite from Oct. 9. Flash and Pro are behind paywalls.
- On Google AI Plus: you keep Flash for $4.99 a month, but Pro goes away. Watch for Google's email.
- On Pro or Ultra: nothing changes, except you're paying $19.99 or $99.99 a month.
If you pay for Plus mainly because of Pro, wait for the email before deciding. If you only need a decent AI assistant, Flash Lite may be enough. The higher-priced plans are aimed at heavy users.
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