Quick Answer
- Gemini 4 Argon is Google’s new flagship AI model.
- It was announced on September 30, with limited access at first.
- On October 13, Google started rolling it out in the Gemini app for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.
- Google did not mention free access.
- API price is $2 per 1M input tokens and $10 per 1M output tokens until November 30, then $4 and $20.
What is Gemini 4 Argon?
Gemini 4 Argon is Google’s newest top AI model. Google says it brings “frontier reasoning and improved performance across complex workflows.” It focuses on long tasks, coding, and agent work. If you want a simple explanation of agents, read our guide on AI agents.
Release timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 30 | Google announced Argon. Early access went to select security specialists through a program called Fairwind, then to paid API users and Ultra subscribers |
| October 13 | Argon arrived in the Gemini app for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers |
Different outlets describe the “release date” differently, because the model came out in stages. The Gemini app rollout on October 13 is the first broad consumer release.
Who can use Gemini 4 Argon?
- AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers: yes, in the Gemini app and in AI Mode.
- Free users: Google’s announcement does not mention free access.
- Antigravity desktop app and CLI, AI Studio, and Android Studio (Canary): these need AI Ultra, according to 9to5Google.
Last month, only Ultra subscribers had access, so Pro users are the newly added group.
If you use the free Gemini plan, read our report on the Gemini free tier downgrade to see what changed.
What is new in the Gemini app?
- Tasks mode: a new toggle in the main chat window switches between chat and tasks. In tasks mode, Gemini can keep working when you are away from your computer, across Google apps. It replaces the earlier Spark option.
- 40+ connected apps: including Instacart, OpenTable, Adobe, and Shopify.
- Coding in the Mac app: you can switch between chat and coding with access to Antigravity’s agentic coding interface.
- Better answers: Google says answers are more direct, with less hedging and less repetition. It follows style instructions more reliably and reports progress more often on long tasks.
Google did not publish usage limits, supported countries, or app pricing in its announcement.
Gemini 4 Argon API price
| Period | Input (per 1M tokens) | Output (per 1M tokens) |
|---|---|---|
| Intro price, until Nov 30, 2026 | $2 | $10 |
| After intro period | $4 | $20 |
Cached input costs $0.10 per 1M tokens. Output can reach up to 1 million tokens, up from 64,000 in the earlier model.
Gemini 4 Argon benchmarks
These numbers are reported from Google’s launch and press coverage. Treat them as vendor-reported until independent tests confirm them.
| Test | Gemini 4 Argon |
|---|---|
| DeepSWE v1.1 | 77.9% |
| FrontierSWE v2 | 55% |
| Vals Finance Agent v2 | 65.4% |
| AutomationBench (Zapier) | 51.3% |
| LVBench | 91.7% |
| CWE-bench v1 (pass@1) | 68% |
One result is worth noticing. On FrontierSWE v2, Forklog reports that Argon scored 55%, while GPT-6 Astra scored 65.5% and Claude Opus 5.5 scored 62.3%. So Argon leads on some tests but not all. Benchmarks do not tell the whole story, so test the model on your own work.
Gemini 4 Argon vs ChatGPT and Claude
No single model wins everywhere. Argon looks strong on coding and agent tasks according to its own benchmarks, but it trails on at least one big software test. For a simple comparison of the other two tools, see ChatGPT vs Claude and our report on Claude Sonnet 5.5.
Safety and security note
Google gave early access to security specialists first, and it also takes part in a voluntary US government pre-assessment program, according to Forklog. Earlier this month, we reported on a case of Gemini being used against three companies, which shows why careful rollout matters.
Should you upgrade to AI Pro?
Think about it if you:
- Want Tasks mode for longer jobs.
- Use Gemini for coding or research.
- Use many Google apps every day.
Stay on the free plan if you only ask simple questions. Check Google’s pricing page for your country before you pay, since plan prices change.
FAQs
What is Gemini 4 Argon?
It is Google’s newest flagship AI model, announced on September 30, 2026.
When did Gemini 4 Argon come to the Gemini app?
Google began the rollout on October 13, 2026.
Is Gemini 4 Argon free?
Google did not mention free access. It is for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.
How much does Gemini 4 Argon cost on the API?
$2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens until November 30. After that, $4 and $20.
What is Tasks mode in Gemini?
A toggle that lets Gemini work on longer jobs across Google apps, even when you are away from your computer.
Is Gemini 4 Argon better than Claude Opus 5.5?
It depends on the test. Argon leads on some benchmarks but scored lower than Claude Opus 5.5 on FrontierSWE v2, according to Forklog.
Can I use Argon in Google Search?
Pro and Ultra subscribers can use it in AI Mode.
