Google trims Gemini features for free users while boosting paid tiers

From October 9, Google will restrict the Gemini app for free users to the Flash-Lite model, removing the Flash and Pro options they currently enjoy. Subscribers to the $4.99 AI Plus tier will continue to have Flash-Lite and Flash but will no longer access the Pro model, effectively narrowing the gap between their plan and the free offering. In contrast, users on the $19.99 AI Pro tier and the AI Ultra tier will retain full model access—including Flash-Lite, Flash, and Pro—and will also receive the new Deep Think feature, which enables more complex, multi-step reasoning.

The Deep Think capability was previously limited to the $99.99 and $199.99 plans, making the AI Pro tier more attractive to potential upgraders. AI Plus members will receive an email detailing the exact timing of the change, whereas free users will see the adjustment applied universally on the rollout date. The update also introduces low, medium, and high effort levels for each model, allowing users to control the depth of reasoning at the cost of faster consumption of their usage limits.