Free Gemini users now get Google’s lightest model
9to5Google reports that from October 9, the free Gemini app uses Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite and no longer offers the Flash and Pro models.
October 9, 2026 · Heads up
9to5Google reports that from October 9, the free Gemini app uses Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite and no longer offers the Flash and Pro models. Paid AI Pro and Ultra subscribers keep full access. We have not seen this confirmed on a Google page.
Why it matters to you: If free Gemini answers feel weaker lately, this is the likely reason. It matters when you compare free assistants.
Try this: Ask the same question in two free assistants and compare the answers side by side.
Explain the difference between a TFSA and an RRSP for someone earning $55,000 in Ontario, with one example of when each makes more sense.
Source: 9to5Google
More from Today in AI
- Canada adds $500 million to help businesses adopt AI · October 13, 2026
- Apple’s smarter Siri comes to Apple TV and HomePod mini · October 13, 2026
- GPT-6 reaches every ChatGPT user, including free accounts · October 7, 2026
- ChatGPT turns class notes into flashcards and quizzes for teens · October 7, 2026
- OpenAI publishes hundreds of new math results produced by AI · October 6, 2026
All of Today in AI. Where AI is heading.
Related Power of AI pages
Keep reading with Start here, everyday uses, the tool guide, the writing workshop, and sources and standards.