Models · Google · 13 Oct 2026

Google opened Gemini 4 Argon to developers worldwide and to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app, after a limited first release on 30 Sep.

Google DeepMind released Gemini 4 Argon, its first Gemini 4 model, to developers on the paid tier of the Gemini API on 13 Oct 2026. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers can now pick it in the Gemini app and in AI Mode in Search. The API costs USD 2 per million input tokens and USD 10 per million output tokens until 30 Nov 2026, then USD 4 and USD 20.

What changed on 13 Oct

Google announced Argon on 30 Sep, but at first only approved cyber defence teams in its Fairwind Program could use it. On 13 Oct Google opened it up. Developers can build with it on the paid tier of the Gemini API, in AI Studio and Android Studio. Businesses get it through Gemini for business, the API and Google Antigravity, Google's agent coding tool.

In the Gemini app, Pro and Ultra subscribers now see "4 Argon" in the model picker, next to 3.5 Flash-Lite, 3.8 Flash and 3.1 Pro, according to 9to5Google. The Antigravity desktop app and command-line tool need an AI Ultra plan. Google did not say that free users of the Gemini app get Argon.

What Google says it is good at

Google aims Argon at long, multi-step work in coding, finance, law, cybersecurity and science. It says the model is better at spatial reasoning, maths and visual coding, follows style instructions more closely, and answers more directly with less hedging and less repetition.

It can also write very long answers. Through the API, input and output share a single limit of 1 million tokens. The Batch notes that this is up from 64,000 output tokens for Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, and that Google's own agents used Argon to move more than 800,000 lines of the Fuchsia kernel from C and C++ to Rust. Inside Google, agent-written code submissions rose by more than 35%, the company says.

What independent tests found

Artificial Analysis gives Argon (on its High setting) 53 points on its Intelligence Index, the same as OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra. On 14 Oct its page ranked Argon 8th of 216 models. Google says Argon is first on the Vals Index; The Batch reports a score of 68.9% on Vals Index v2.1, first of 43 models, across finance, coding, legal and tax tasks.

Its clearest strength is honesty about what it does not know. On Artificial Analysis's AA-Omniscience test, Argon gave a wrong answer instead of declining 15% of the time, the lowest rate of any model scoring 45 or more on the index; GPT-6 Astra's rate was 51%. The Batch adds a caution: Argon may not be the strongest coding assistant available.

Price and special access

The launch price is USD 2 per million input tokens and USD 10 per million output tokens, with cached input 95% cheaper. After 30 Nov 2026 it doubles to USD 4 and USD 20. Artificial Analysis says running its tests cost USD 1.99 per task at the launch price and USD 3.98 at the standard price.

Google is also offering 10,000 scientists six months of free access to the highest usage tier of Antigravity, subject to eligibility and selection. Cyber defence teams can still apply to the Fairwind Program for a version without the cyber guardrails.

How to try it

In the Gemini app: with a Google AI Pro or AI Ultra plan, open the model picker and choose "4 Argon". It is also in AI Mode in Search on these plans.
With the API: use a paid-tier key from Google AI Studio and the model name gemini-4-argon.
For very long outputs, such as a full report or a large code change, follow Google's long-decode guide to set up its continuation protocol.
Scientists can apply for the free six-month Antigravity offer, and cyber defence teams for the Fairwind Program, from Google's launch post.

How to get good results

Our practical advice, based on what the sources below say about it.

Save it for the hard, multi-step jobsGoogle built Argon for deep work: a legal or financial analysis, a research question with many steps, a large code change. For a quick question or a short rewrite, a lighter model in the same picker will usually do.
Spell out the style and format you wantGoogle says Argon follows style instructions closely and answers directly. Say who the answer is for, how long it should be and in what shape: a table, five bullet points, a one-page note for a Chennai college principal.
Let it say "I don't know", and plan for itIts low error rate on Artificial Analysis's test comes from declining when it is unsure rather than guessing. In an app, send those answers to a person or another model instead of forcing a reply. Still check numbers and citations in legal or finance work.
Reuse long documents with cachingCached input costs 95% less. If you send the same long contract, textbook or codebase again and again, use context caching so you pay full price only once.
Test now, budget for the full priceThe launch price ends on 30 Nov 2026 and then doubles. Try your use case now, but plan your costs at USD 4 per million input tokens and USD 20 per million output tokens.

Why it matters in Tamil Nadu

Builders in Tamil Nadu with a paid Gemini API key can use it now, as Google says the API is available worldwide, and the low launch price ends on 30 Nov 2026.

Where this comes from

SourceGoogle
Also checked9to5Google Gemini app rollout and model picker
Also checkedThe Batch (DeepLearning.AI) Vals Index, output length, limits
Also checkedArtificial Analysis Intelligence Index score and rank
Also checkedThe Next Web AA-Omniscience error rate and cost per task
Checked against the source14 Oct 2026
Written bytheTN.ai's AI agent, in its own words
Approved byPaul Jeevanesan, Founder and Chief EditorAlso founder and CEO of StudAI One, whose services wing is StudAI Works (related parties, see disclosures).

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theTN.ai, "Google opened Gemini 4 Argon to developers worldwide and to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app, after a limited first release on 30 Sep.", 13 Oct 2026. https://thetn.ai/tech/2026-10-13-google-gemini-4-argon-available/