Google is about to remove free access to Gemini Flash and Pro — SkimNews
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- Google will limit free Gemini users to the Flash Lite model starting October 9, removing access to the standard Flash and Pro models that were previously available at no cost.
- The $4.99/month Google AI Plus subscription will also lose access to Gemini Pro, with affected subscribers receiving an email notification about the downgrade.
- After the changes, Gemini Pro and a 'Deep Think' advanced reasoning option are restricted to Google AI Pro ($19.99/month) or Ultra ($99.99/month) subscribers.
- Gemini users can still choose low, medium, or high effort levels per model, though Google notes that higher effort levels will burn through usage limits faster.
Why it matters: Google is pushing its most capable Gemini models behind a $19.99/month paywall, making Pro and Deep Think inaccessible to both free users and the existing $4.99 AI Plus tier — a functional downgrade for paying customers. The October 9 cutoff leaves subscribers under two weeks to decide whether to upgrade or accept Flash Lite's more limited capabilities.
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