Google Gemini cuts free user access to key features

Google is making significant changes to its Gemini app, particularly for free users. Starting on October 9, free users will only have access to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model. The 3.6 Flash and 3.1 Pro models will no longer be available to them. For those subscribed to Google AI Plus at $4.99 per month, access to the Pro model will also be removed, though they will retain access to Flash-Lite and Flash.

To continue using the Pro model, users will need to upgrade to a Google AI Pro subscription, which costs at least $19.99 per month. Existing AI Pro subscribers will receive a bonus: access to the "Deep Think" feature, previously exclusive to higher service tiers.

This shift aligns with typical subscription-based service models, where features initially available to all users become restricted over time. Google has faced several AI-related challenges this year, including leadership changes and delays in launching the Gemini 3.5 Pro model, which was initially scheduled for June.

Additionally, there have been reports of employee frustrations regarding the performance of Gemini 4, which reportedly lags behind rival models from Anthropic and OpenAI. This adds to the series of rumors about internal tensions at Google.