Google is adjusting its subscription policy for entry-level AI services, and users of Google AI Plus will no longer have access to the Gemini Pro model. According to recent update documents and notifications sent to subscribers, starting from November 13, 2026, Google AI Plus members will not be able to manually select the Pro model in the AI modes of the Gemini app and search. After this date, the entry-level package priced at US$4.99 (approximately HK$39) will only allow manual selection of the lighter Flash and Flash-Lite engines.
Existing Pro conversations can still be viewed in chat history, but subsequent replies will automatically be handled by the lighter engine unless users choose to upgrade to a higher subscription tier.
For users who wish to continue using the Pro model in high-load scenarios such as writing, programming, financial analysis, or in-depth research, there are only two options left: upgrade to Google AI Pro for US$19.99 (approximately HK$156) per month, or AI Ultra for US$99.99 (approximately HK$780) per month. This means costs will significantly increase, with monthly bills needing to rise by at least US$15 (approximately HK$117). Users upgrading to the Pro tier will also enjoy additional benefits, with usage quotas increasing from double that of the free standard version to quadruple.
However, for many ordinary users, retaining the model they are accustomed to will require paying for unnecessary additional usage.
Google AI Plus users will face significant changes to subscription policy
Meanwhile, Google’s newly announced Gemini 4 Argon engine will be limited to AI Pro and Ultra members. An official statement claims that this engine has improved reasoning capabilities, providing specialized workflows for scenarios such as finance and programming, and can integrate with over 40 applications. Tying more powerful models to higher subscription tiers is a clear strategy in this adjustment.