Google Rolls Out Gemini 4 Argon to Paying AI Pro and Ultra Users

Google began rolling out its Gemini 4 Argon model to paying subscribers, following an announcement made at the end of September. The release targets users of the Gemini app, Google Antigravity, and other platforms, marking a shift from initial limited availability to a broader, though still restricted, launch.

The new model is accessible to both Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers within the main Gemini application. Previously, only Ultra tier users had access. Google states that Argon provides frontier reasoning capabilities and improved performance for complex workflows, aiming to compete with industry leaders after months of trailing rivals.

Internal Performance and Capabilities

Google highlights several internal use cases to demonstrate Argon’s effectiveness. The model helped the Chrome team refactor legacy code, separating core webpage handling from a six-million-line folder within Chromium’s forty-million-line codebase. This work, completed in weeks instead of months, aims to allow live webpages to move between tabs without reloading.

The company also reported that Argon identified redundant emoji rendering in YouTube’s comment system, which reduced server load by forty-five percent. Additionally, engineers used the model to find critical bugs in Project Wing’s drone physics simulator that had persisted since 2018. These examples illustrate the model’s ability to handle large-scale technical tasks.

Subscription Tiers and Access

Access to Gemini 4 Argon varies by platform and subscription level. In the Gemini app for macOS, Pro and Ultra users can switch between chatting and coding modes. They have direct access to Antigravity’s agentic coding interface for building applications and web experiences. A new toggle in the chat window allows users to switch from chat to tasks.

However, the Antigravity desktop app and command-line interface restrict Argon access to AI Ultra subscribers only. This tiered approach reflects the high compute costs associated with agentic coding workflows. Free users remain limited to Flash-Lite models, while Pro users retain access to Gemini 3.1 Pro for tasks requiring more capability than Flash models offer.

What should you do?

Users should review their current subscription tier to determine if they qualify for the new model. Those interested in coding features should verify whether their plan includes access to Antigravity or if an upgrade to AI Ultra is necessary. Subscribers can check the model picker in the Gemini app to confirm availability.

What to do and how to stay safe: Google

• Verify your current Google AI subscription tier to confirm eligibility for Gemini 4 Argon.
• Check the model picker in the Gemini app to see if Argon is available in your region.
• Review the specific features included in your plan, particularly regarding Antigravity access.
• Monitor official Google channels for updates on future availability for free-tier users.

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General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Who can use Gemini 4 Argon right now?

It is available to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app, and only AI Ultra users in Antigravity.

What are the benefits of the new model?

Google claims it offers improved reasoning, direct answers with less hedging, and better performance in complex coding workflows.

Is there a free version of Argon?

No, free users are currently limited to Flash-Lite models, while Pro and Ultra tiers have access to Argon.