Gemini 4 Argon: what changed on 13 October

Google said Gemini 4 Argon became globally available on 13 October 2026. Developers can reach it through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and the Gemini platform. It is also on Google Cloud (model ID gemini-4-argon), in Antigravity for Ultra subscribers, and in the Gemini app and AI Mode for Google AI Pro and Ultra users. Standard paid API pricing is US$2 per 1M input tokens and US$10 per 1M output tokens through 30 November. From 1 December it rises to US$4 and US$20. Access through the Fairwind Program is still vetted.

What changed, and when

The rollout came in two steps.

On 30 September 2026, Google introduced Gemini 4 Argon as its new frontier model and opened a narrow release. Trusted cyber defenders got access first through the Fairwind Program. CNBC covered the phased start with cyber partners.

That 30 September post still carries the rollout wording, with a wider release flagged for later. The 13 October post is the current announcement.

On 13 October 2026, Google said the model was globally available across its developer, enterprise and consumer channels. Standard paid channels opened 13 days after the vetted-only start.

Google also began widening the Fairwind Program that day. Its post says: “Starting today, we’re beginning expansion to hundreds of additional Fairwind Program partners.” Applications to Fairwind are open on a rolling basis.

Where Gemini 4 Argon is available

Surfaces come from the Google announcement, 13 Oct and the Google Cloud announcement, 13 Oct. For enterprises, the 13 October post points to Gemini for business, the API and Google Antigravity.

Gemini 4 Argon pricing

Tokens are the units a model reads and writes. A token is roughly a small chunk of a word, and images or audio are counted in tokens too. Google’s pricing page says output pricing includes thinking tokens.

These are the Standard rates on Google’s Gemini API pricing page, per 1M tokens in USD:

Other details from that page:

• Implicit cached input costs US$0.10 per 1M tokens, rising to US$0.20 from 1 December.
• Explicit caching is not supported.
• There is no free tier for this model.
• Batch and flex requests run at half the Standard rate.
• Priority requests cost more than Standard.

Google Cloud pricing

Google Cloud lists promotional Global Standard pricing through 30 November 2026 at US$2 per 1M input tokens and US$10 per 1M output tokens, provided through 50% credits back on net spend. See Global Standard pricing. From 1 December 2026 the rates are US$4 and US$20.

Under Google’s promotion terms, the monthly billing credit equals 50% of net eligible Provisioned Throughput spending. Issued credits can be used across On-Demand Gemini 4 Argon (excluding Cyber Permissive) and Provisioned Throughput SKUs across all models. Google issues credits on the 7th day of each month after the billing period. They expire 30 days after issuance. Non-global regions carry a 10% uplift.

Gemini 4 Argon Cyber Permissive is excluded from the promotion.

These API figures do not set the paid consumer subscription prices for the Gemini app, AI Mode or Ultra.

What stays gated

• Fairwind access remains vetted after the public launch, Google says.
• Public releases carry cyber mitigations that block offensive security tasks, according to Google.
• Google has not named a specific enterprise Antigravity tier for this model.

Quick answers

Where is it available?

The Gemini API, Google Cloud, Gemini for business, Antigravity, and the Gemini app and AI Mode for Pro and Ultra users. Google describes the 13 October launch as global.

What does the API cost?

Standard rates are US$2 per 1M input tokens and US$10 per 1M output tokens through 30 November 2026. From 1 December they are US$4 and US$20.

What does Google Cloud charge?

Promotional Global Standard pricing through 30 November 2026 is US$2 per 1M input tokens and US$10 per 1M output tokens, provided through 50% credits back on net spend. The monthly billing credit equals 50% of net eligible Provisioned Throughput spending. Google issues the credits on the 7th day of each month after the billing period, and they expire 30 days after issuance. From 1 December, Global Standard is US$4 and US$20.

What is still gated?

Fairwind access, which stays vetted. Google also says public versions block offensive security work.

Sources, with prices checked on 19 October 2026:

• Google, introducing Gemini 4 Argon, 30 Sep
• Google, Gemini 4 Argon global availability, 13 Oct
• Google Cloud, Gemini 4 Argon on Google Cloud, 13 Oct
• Gemini API pricing
• Google Cloud generative AI pricing
• CNBC, Gemini 4 Argon phased launch, 30 Sep