AI Matters
Why it matters
Google limits free Gemini users to its smallest model from October 9
The Verge AI Google is about to remove free access to Gemini Flash and Pro
Starting October 9, free Gemini users will only get Flash Lite, and the standard Flash model will require a $4.99 monthly Google AI Plus plan.
Why it matters
If you use Gemini for free, you will lose the standard Flash and Pro models unless you pay $4.99 a month.
Latest brief · Oct 19, 2026