By Abner Li
Publication Date: 2026-10-03 20:57:00
Following the compute-based usage change in May, Google will soon introduce limits on which Gemini models free users and AI Plus subscribers can access.
According to an updated support document this week, Gemini app users without a Google AI subscription will be limited to the (3.5) Flash-Lite model. Starting October 9, users who do not pay for Gemini will no longer be able to access (3.6) Flash or (3.1) Pro.
Meanwhile, AI Plus subscribers will be limited to Flash-Lite and Flash, with Pro no longer available. These $4.99 per month users will “receive an email that explains when these changes will take effect.”
| Gemini Model | |||
| Google AI Plan | Flash-Lite | Flash | Pro |
| Without a plan | ✓ | X | X |
| AI Plus | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| AI Pro | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI Ultra | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
There are no regressions for AI Pro and AI Ultra. Rather, $19.99/month customers will get access to the Deep Think option for “maximum parallel reasoning” that’s currently just on the $99.99 and $199.99/month plans.