Google is changing the model options inside Gemini apps and on the web. According to a support page cited by Engadget, free users will lose access to Gemini Flash and Pro starting October 9, leaving Flash-Lite as the only model for unpaid queries. Flash-Lite is Google's most cost-effective model, while Pro is positioned for complex reasoning, math, and coding.
The shift also affects paying customers. Google AI Plus, the $5 per month entry tier, will no longer include Gemini 3.1 Pro. Access to that model now requires the $20 per month AI Pro plan, or the $100 per month AI Ultra plan for higher usage limits. The change suggests Google is drawing a firmer line between everyday chat and heavier productivity use.
Alongside the model restrictions, Google is introducing selectable effort levels (low, medium, high) for each model, with higher levels producing more thorough answers but consuming more usage quota. AI Ultra subscribers will also get a Deep Think option for maximum capability and early access to Gemini 4 Argon, which is currently limited to the Fairwind Program for governments and trusted partners.
Since this is a single source, there are no conflicting reports to compare. The details come directly from Google's support documentation as summarized by Engadget, so the timeline and pricing should be treated as reported rather than independently confirmed.