Gemini Free Plan Change on Oct 9: Models and Limits by Tier

According to Google Help, from October 9, 2026, the free version of Gemini will use only the Flash-Lite model on personal accounts without an AI subscription. The Gemini model access and limits change notice opens Flash from AI Plus and Pro from AI Pro. It also says AI Plus subscribers get a separate email with their own start date. In the same notice, Deep Think, the maximum parallel reasoning mode, is for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. The details below are accurate as of October 5, 2026.

What changes for the free Gemini version on October 9

The Gemini app has three models. The Gemini app help page describes Flash-Lite as an efficient model focused on speed. It calls Flash a more capable model that balances speed and reasoning. It describes Pro as the most capable model, strong at complex math and coding. According to the change notice, from October 9 the only choice for users without a subscription is the lightest one, Flash-Lite.

If you have been picking Flash or Pro on a free account, you can no longer use them from October 9. The help page presents Flash-Lite for everyday tasks such as summaries and organizing ideas, and Pro for complex math and coding. If you do the latter kind of work, run the same request on Flash-Lite ahead of time, using the checklist below.

Gemini models by plan and Korean prices

Combining the model table and limit multipliers from the change notice gives the table below. Limits are multiples of the standard limit for users without a subscription, which is set to 1.

Plan	Flash-Lite	Flash	Pro	Deep Think	Usage limit	Monthly price in Korea
No subscription (free)	Yes	No	No	No	Standard	0 KRW
AI Plus	Yes	Yes	No	No	2x standard	7,500 KRW
AI Pro	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	4x standard	29,000 KRW
AI Ultra	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	5x or 20x AI Pro	From 119,000 KRW

Prices are taken from the Gemini subscription page (AI Plus at 7,500 KRW and AI Ultra from 119,000 KRW) and the Google One plans page (AI Pro at 29,000 KRW with 5TB of storage). The Google One page separately lists AI Plus with 2TB of storage at 11,900 KRW per month, so check the amount and storage shown on the checkout screen before you subscribe. A full plan comparison is in our Gemini plan price and limit comparison.

AI Plus loses the Pro model, and AI Pro gains Deep Think

AI Plus does not change for everyone on October 9. The help page says AI Plus subscribers receive an email explaining when the change applies, so check that email for your account's date. If you used the Pro model on Plus and still need it, the lowest option is AI Pro at 29,000 KRW per month. The Pro model is open only to AI Pro and AI Ultra.

AI Pro goes the other way, with more to use. The Gemini app help page currently lists Deep Think as AI Ultra only, but the change notice says subscribing to AI Pro or AI Ultra unlocks the Deep Think option. Google calls Deep Think maximum parallel reasoning. It reasons through one question along several paths at the same time.

Gemini usage limits reset every 5 hours

According to the Gemini app help page, usage limits reset every 5 hours until you reach the weekly limit. The change notice states limits not as a number of requests but as a multiple of the standard limit, which is the base limit for users without a subscription. AI Plus gets 2x, AI Pro gets 4x, and AI Ultra gets 5x or 20x that of AI Pro. Limits are calculated by compute, so they drop faster with more complex prompts, more features in use and longer conversations. That is why the same plan lasts a different number of days for different people.

The same notice says that for each model you can use, you can choose an effort level, meaning how much effort goes into producing an answer: low, medium or high. The notice does not say how much each setting uses of your limit. If your limit drains quickly, try each setting and compare before you change plans.

What to check before October 9

If you use Gemini for free, prepare in the following order.

1. Open the model selection screen in the Gemini app and note the models your account shows now. Menu names can differ by app version. If the list for an account without a subscription shows only Flash-Lite after October 9, it matches Google's change notice.
2. Pick one or two tasks you often do with Flash or Pro and run the same prompts on Flash-Lite ahead of time. Note any gaps where the result falls short for your work.
3. If Flash-Lite falls short on tasks that come up every day, compare AI Plus for access up to Flash. If you need the Pro model or Deep Think, compare AI Pro. Before paying, check the Korean won amount on the checkout screen.

Common mistakes about the Gemini free change

• Reading that AI Plus subscribers also change on October 9: October 9 is the start date for users without a subscription. For Plus, the date in your email applies.
• Assuming the Pro model stays open on paid Plus: In the model table in the change notice, Plus shows only Flash-Lite and Flash.
• Converting limit multipliers into request counts: 2x and 4x are ratios to the standard limit, and the help page gives no number of requests per day.
• Assuming work or school accounts change too: This notice covers personal accounts. Work and school accounts have a separate help page.

Gemini free: frequently asked questions

Can I still use Gemini Pro for free after October 9?

Not on a personal account without a subscription. In the table of the Google change notice, the Pro model appears only for AI Pro and AI Ultra.

Which plan includes Gemini Deep Think?

The Google change notice says you can use the Deep Think option by subscribing to AI Pro or AI Ultra. In the table, AI Plus and users without a subscription do not have Deep Think. The Gemini app help page explains that responses usually take a few minutes.

Where can I check when Gemini AI Plus changes?

According to the Google change notice, AI Plus subscribers receive an email explaining when the change takes effect. October 9 is the date the change starts for users without a subscription.

Before October 9, find your plan's row in the help table, and run one task you usually do with Flash or Pro on Flash-Lite first.