Is Gemini 4 Carbon available to use?
Short answer
Not for most people yet. Google announced Gemini 4 Carbon on Oct 28, 2026 as its strongest model, but for now it goes only to a subset of cybersecurity defenders and, later, other trusted partners. Google says it will open Carbon to developers, businesses and consumers after more testing of its safeguards, without giving a date. Google's US AI plans page lists Gemini 4 Argon for AI Pro and Ultra, and no plan lists Carbon.
Which products can do it?
- Google GeminiAnnounced
Google announced Gemini 4 Carbon on Oct 28, 2026 and is releasing it first to a subset of cyber defenders, with wider access for developers, businesses and consumers planned after more work on guardrails.
Good to know: No date for general availability. Google's AI plans page (re-read Oct 30, 2026) lists Argon, not Carbon, for AI Pro and Ultra.
Why it matters
Google's newest model is in the news, and people want to know whether they can use it in the Gemini app or the API today, and what it will cost.
Not proven yet
When Carbon reaches the Gemini app or the public API, and which subscription plans will include it; Google hasn't said. Its introductory API price is published ($2/$10 per million input/output tokens, the same as Argon), but who can buy at that price is not.
How we know (2 sources)
Google's launch post for Gemini 4 Carbon (read Oct 30, 2026): Google calls it its strongest model, built on Argon, with higher coding, agentic and cybersecurity results. From the week of the announcement it goes only to a subset of cyber defenders, expanding to other trusted partners through a program Google calls Fairwind. Google says it is gathering feedback and working on guardrails before opening Carbon to developers, businesses and consumers, with no date given. Introductory API pricing matches Argon: $2/$10 per million input/output tokens, later $4/$20. No consumer plan or Gemini app availability is named.
Read the sourceGoogle AI plans in the US as listed on Oct 22, 2026: Free ($0: Flash-Lite model, Deep Research, Gemini Live, 15 GB storage); AI Plus ($4.99/month, 400 GB); AI Pro ($19.99/month: Gemini 4 Argon, Pro model, Jules coding agent, Gemini in Gmail and Docs, 5 TB); AI Ultra ($99.99 or $199.99/month for 5x or 20x Pro limits, from 20 TB). Re-read Oct 28, 2026: AI Plus gets the Flash model; AI Pro also includes YouTube Premium Lite (most videos ad-free, offline and in the background) and Google Home Premium Standard; AI Ultra includes the YouTube Premium individual plan and Google Home Premium Advanced. Premium Lite won't activate if you already have YouTube Premium or an equivalent plan. Gemini 4 Argon is available in select countries; AI plans are for ages 18+. Re-read Oct 30, 2026: still lists Gemini 4 Argon for AI Pro and Ultra; no mention of Gemini 4 Carbon on any plan.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: Coming soonGoogle Gemini
Google announced Gemini 4 Carbon on Oct 28, 2026 and is releasing it first to a subset of cyber defenders, with wider access for developers, businesses and consumers planned after more work on guardrails.