9to5Google reported that Google will restrict which Gemini models some app users can pick, citing a support document updated this week. From October 9, users without a Google AI subscription are limited to 3.5 Flash-Lite. They lose 3.6 Flash and 3.1 Pro. AI Plus subscribers, who pay $4.99 a month, keep Flash-Lite and Flash but lose Pro. AI Pro and AI Ultra users see no cuts. The $19.99 plan gains Deep Think, a mode for maximum parallel reasoning that is now only on the $99.99 and $199.99 plans.
The report gives no start date for the Plus change. Plus subscribers will get an email saying when it takes effect. 9to5Google says the app appears to be adding low, medium and high effort levels for each model this month. Google has not announced them. Per 9to5Google, higher levels would give fuller answers but use more of the user's limit. It is also unclear whether Gemini 4 Argon, due first for Ultra subscribers, counts as a Pro model or a new tier.
9to5Google ties the limits to Google's compute-based usage change in May. WebPulse's reading, not the report's: Gemini access is moving from a flat subscription to a metered allowance, where model choice and effort would both spend the budget. Leaders should ask which Gemini accounts staff use for work, which models their workflows rely on, and what happens when the allowance runs out.