{
  "id": 12073804,
  "title": "Google is shrinking your Gemini choices unless you pay more",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/google-is-shrinking-your-gemini-choices-unless-you-pay-more",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-05T04:23:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Police",
    "slug": "android-police",
    "url": "https://www.androidpolice.com/google-shrinking-gemini-choices-unless-you-pay-more/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Google is changing access to its Gemini AI models based on users' payment plans. From October 9, free users will only be able to access the Flash-Lite model, losing access to the Flash and Pro models. According to TechRadar, users on the $4.99 AI Plus plan will also lose access to the Pro model, but will still be able to use Flash.\n\nThe changes mean that free users will be limited to the fastest answers model, while AI Plus subscribers will have access to the all-around help model, Flash. The more expensive AI Pro and AI Ultra tiers will not be affected, with AI Pro subscribers gaining access to the Deep Think mode, which maximizes parallel reasoning.\n\nUsers on the AI Plus plan will receive an email explaining when the changes will take effect, while free users will be affected from October 9. The updates will limit access to the most powerful models for users who do not pay for a Gemini subscription or the AI Plus plan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "Gemini app gains new ‘Map’ tool, replacing ‘/’ with ‘@’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/gemini-app-gains-new-map-tool-replacing-with",
        "published": "2026-10-02T17:55:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Android Authority",
        "title": "Google adds a Map tool to Gemini, but only on phones",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/google-adds-a-map-tool-to-gemini-but-only-on-phones",
        "published": "2026-10-02T20:20:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}