The real-world impact is likely small. Most casual Google AI users have no idea which model they're running. Power users, just a few percent of the total base, are likely already paying for subscriptions. Google may also be setting the stage for the larger Gemini 4 Argon：https://the-decoder.com/google-gemini-4-argon-closes-the-gap-with-openai-and-anthropic-but-doesnt-take-a-clear-lead/, which could be pricier to run.

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