Google Prepares Affordable Gemini AI Lite Plan

Google appears poised to shake up the AI subscription market with a more affordable way to access its powerful Gemini features. Recent discoveries within Google's own app code point to a new "AI Lite" subscription tier, signaling a potential low-cost alternative to the current $20-per-month Google One AI Pro plan and a direct challenge to competitors like ChatGPT.

Key Highlights

• A new, more affordable "Gemini AI Lite" subscription is reportedly in development.
• This plan could make advanced AI tools accessible to users unwilling to pay for the full AI Pro subscription.
• It positions Google to compete more aggressively on price with other AI services.

Uncovering the Clues to AI Lite

The evidence for this new plan comes from a deep dive into Google's application files. According to a report from Android Authority, app analyst AssembleDebug discovered specific text strings within the code that suggest new pricing options are on the horizon.

References to features like “Deep Research” and access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro model were found alongside a new option labeled “ROBIN_G1_UPGRADE_LITE_FREEMIUM”. It's understood that “Robin” is Google’s internal codename for its Gemini AI, making this a strong indicator of a forthcoming lite subscription tier.

What Could a Gemini AI Lite Plan Offer?

Currently, Google offers a stark contrast between its free and premium tiers. Free users can only access powerful features like Deep Research mode a few times a month and have limited use of the top-tier Gemini 2.5 Pro model. Subscribers to the Google One AI Pro plan, however, enjoy significantly higher usage limits and expanded capabilities, such as access to models with larger context windows for processing more information at once.

An AI Lite plan would logically fit between these two extremes. While the exact pricing and feature set remain unknown, it could offer a compelling middle ground. However, to achieve a lower price point, Google might reduce other bundled perks, such as the 2TB of Google One storage that comes with the AI Pro plan.

A Strategic Move in the AI Race

This potential launch isn't just about offering a new price; it's a calculated strategic move. A lower-cost plan could be instrumental in retaining customers who are nearing the end of complimentary 12-month AI Pro subscriptions that were bundled with devices like the Pixel 9 Pro or Chromebook Plus.

Furthermore, this strategy mirrors a previous Google initiative. Last year, the company launched "Google One Lite," a budget-friendly storage subscription, on a country-by-country basis. That plan offered 30GB of storage at a significantly lower price than the standard 100GB Basic plan, demonstrating Google's willingness to create tiered offerings to capture a wider market. By introducing Gemini AI Lite, Google is positioning itself to attract a broader audience and intensify its competition with other major players in the generative AI space.