Gemini review (October 2026): Gemini 4 Argon arrives in Google's apps
Google's Gemini 4 Argon is now in the Gemini app for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. What each Google AI plan gets you, where Gemini shines, and who should pay.
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How we reviewed this: this is a research review. It is built from Google's own documentation, pricing and announcements plus published benchmarks, all listed under Sources and checked on Oct 28, 2026. Scores reflect what each plan offers on paper. When we finish our own hands-on tests, we'll update this page. How we review
Our verdict
Gemini by Google
The best value if you live in Gmail, Docs and Android, with Gemini 4 Argon, Deep Research and Nano Banana image editing in one plan. Change the privacy defaults first, because human reviewers can read your chats.
- Best for
- People who already use Google apps, students on a budget, and anyone who wants research, images and email help in one subscription.
- Skip it if
- Anyone uncomfortable with human review of their chats, or who wants Google's newest model without paying for AI Pro.
- Pricing
- Free; Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; AI Pro $19.99/mo; AI Ultra from $99.99/mo (US prices).
Our research scores
What we like
- Gemini 4 Argon is included in AI Pro at $19.99 a month
- The cheapest paid entry point of the big three, with AI Plus at $4.99 a month
- Works inside the Google apps you already use
- Strong research tools, including Deep Research and Gemini Notebook
What could be better
- Human reviewers can read conversations
- Activity is kept for 18 months by default
- The newest model needs AI Pro or higher
- Plans, prices and features differ by country
What’s new in Gemini this autumn
Google’s model line-up moved fast in September and October 2026:
| Model | Released | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3.8 Flash | Sep 2 | Fast, low-cost everyday model |
| Nano Banana 2.1 | Oct 6 | Image creation and editing |
| Gemini 4 Argon | Oct 13 | Google’s first Gemini 4 model, its new top model |
Gemini 4 Argon is the big one. It’s the first model of Google’s Gemini 4 generation, reads about 1 million tokens at once, and is now in the Gemini app for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. Developers can use it through the paid Gemini API at an introductory $2 / $10 per million tokens until November 30, 2026, after which the price doubles.
Which Google AI plan should you pick?
| Plan | Price (US) | What you get | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The Gemini app for everyday questions and writing | Trying it out, quick questions |
| AI Plus | $4.99/mo | More usage and features at a low price | Light daily users, students |
| AI Pro | $19.99/mo | Gemini 4 Argon, Deep Research, Nano Banana and Gemini in your Google apps | Most people who use it for work |
| AI Ultra | From $99.99/mo | The highest limits on Gemini 4 Argon and Google’s agent tools | Power users and developers |
Prices from Google’s plans page, checked October 28, 2026. Plans and prices vary by country, so check the page in your region.
Our take: AI Pro is the one to buy if you want Gemini 4 Argon. AI Plus is the cheapest paid AI plan from any of the big three, and a sensible upgrade for light users.
What Gemini does best
Living inside Google. If your email is Gmail and your files are in Drive, Gemini can work with them where they are. That saves the copy-and-paste that other assistants need.
Research. Deep Research builds long, sourced reports. For your own documents, Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) answers only from what you upload and cites the exact passage, which is why we use it in our study guide and research guide.
Images. Nano Banana is one of the most popular image tools around for quick edits: removing objects, changing backgrounds or making a social graphic in seconds.
Value. At $19.99, AI Pro bundles the newest model, research tools and image creation into one subscription.
Where it falls short
- Privacy defaults. Human reviewers can read some conversations, and activity is kept for 18 months unless you change it. This is the weakest default of the three big assistants.
- The newest model costs money. Gemini 4 Argon needs AI Pro or Ultra in the app, and the API has no free tier for it.
- Confusing plan names. AI Plus, AI Pro and AI Ultra, with features that vary by country, take some working out.
Privacy and safety
Before you use Gemini for anything personal or work-related, open Gemini Apps Activity and decide how long Google keeps your chats. Don’t paste anything confidential: human reviewers may read conversations. Temporary chats are kept for up to 72 hours.
A proposed US class action over Gemini data tracking (Thele v. Google) was dismissed with leave to amend in July 2026. Google has moved to dismiss the amended complaint. These are allegations, not findings.
Gemini vs ChatGPT vs Claude
Gemini wins on value and on working inside Google apps. ChatGPT is the most complete all-rounder. Claude is best for long documents and offers the clearest privacy choice. Compare them side by side in our ChatGPT review, and read our Claude review.
Bottom line
If you already use Gmail, Docs and Android, Gemini AI Pro is the best-value AI subscription right now, with Gemini 4 Argon, Deep Research and Nano Banana in one plan. Just change the privacy settings before you start.
Alternatives to Gemini
ChatGPT
by OpenAI
General-purpose assistant for writing, analysis, files, images and voice.
Free; Go $8/mo (US); Plus $20/mo; Pro from $100/mo
Claude
by Anthropic
Assistant known for long documents, careful writing and coding help.
Free; Pro $20/mo ($17/mo yearly); Max from $100/mo
Privacy & risks
- Trains on your data
- You choose
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Free, Pro and Max users choose whether their chats can be used for training. Team, Enterprise and API data is not used for training.
Gemini Notebook
by Google
Formerly NotebookLM. Upload your own sources and ask questions grounded in them.
Privacy & risks
- Trains on your data
- No
- Google renamed NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook on July 16, 2026.
- Your sources and chats are not used for training unless you send feedback. Workspace and education accounts are not reviewed by humans.
Questions people ask
Is Gemini free?
Yes. The Gemini app has a free plan. Google AI Plus ($4.99 a month in the US), AI Pro ($19.99) and AI Ultra (from $99.99) add more usage and newer models.
Which plan gets Gemini 4 Argon?
Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers get Gemini 4 Argon in the Gemini app, with Ultra getting the highest limits. Developers can use it through the paid Gemini API.
Can people at Google read my Gemini chats?
Yes, human reviewers may read some conversations to improve Google's services. Don't share confidential information, and review your Gemini Apps Activity settings. Activity auto-deletes after 18 months by default, and you can shorten that.
Gemini or Gemini Notebook, what's the difference?
Gemini is the general assistant. Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) answers only from sources you upload, with citations, which makes it better for studying and research on your own documents.