Google Locks Free Gemini Users to 3.5 Flash-Lite Oct 9 — SkimNews
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- Google will limit free Gemini users to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model starting October 9, cutting off access to more capable Flash models on the no-cost tier.
- Google is capping AI Plus subscribers at 3.5 Flash-Lite and 3.6 Flash, a new model-access ceiling that follows the company's May shift to compute-based usage limits.
Why it matters: Free Gemini users lose access to anything above the lightweight 3.5 Flash-Lite model on October 9, tightening the free tier's ceiling and effectively pushing anyone needing stronger AI output toward Google's paid Plus or Pro plans—a tiered upsell funnel layered on top of May's compute-based limits.
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