Google Gemini API model launch, deprecations and pricing changes, both batch and standard models

Between 1 August and 3 August 2026, the unreleased Gemini 3.5 Pro model was spotted in the LMSYS Chatbot Arena for blind testing, indicating that Google has entered late-stage A/B evaluation for the flagship model. Additionally, Google confirmed specific deprecation deadlines for the month, including the shutdown of image generation and robotics preview models on 17 August and 31 August 2026, respectively.

• Gemini 3.5 Pro Arena Sightings: On 2 August 2026, developers reported that Gemini 3.5 Pro had appeared in the LMSYS Chatbot Arena's testing pool, suggesting an imminent public release despite official statements that the model remains in partner testing.
• Image Model Deprecation: Google has scheduled the shutdown of the gemini-3.1-flash-image and imagen-4.0-fast-generate-001 models for 17 August 2026. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Gemini 3.1 Flash-Image and Imagen 4.0 Shutdown August 17, 2026
• Robotics Model Shutdown: The gemini-robotics-er-1.6-preview model is officially set to be shut down on 31 August 2026, following the transition to the ER 2 model family. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Gemini Robotics ER 1.6 Shutdown August 31, 2026
• Sampling Parameter Deprecation: As of 1 August 2026, Google has officially deprecated the temperature, top_p, and top_k sampling parameters for the Gemini 3.x model family in favor of new reasoning controls.

In July 2026, Google significantly updated its API lineup by moving Gemini 3.6 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite to general availability, introducing a specialized cybersecurity model, and launching the Gemini Robotics ER 2 in public preview. While Gemini 3.6 Flash offers a 17% reduction in output token usage and lower pricing, the flagship Gemini 3.5 Pro remains in partner testing after missing its mid-year release target. Google also officially confirmed that pre-training has begun for its next-generation Gemini 4 models.

• Gemini 3.6 Flash and 3.5 Flash-Lite GA: On 21 July 2026, Google released stable, production-ready versions of Gemini 3.6 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite, with the 3.6 Flash model optimized for lower latency and a 17% reduction in output token usage.
• Gemini Robotics ER 2 Public Preview: Released on 30 July 2026, the Gemini Robotics ER 2 and its streaming variant provide advanced spatial reasoning and multi-robot coordination for embodied AI applications.
• Gemini 4 Pre-training Confirmation: Google officially confirmed on 21 July 2026 that it has commenced its 'most ambitious pre-training run yet' for the next-generation Gemini 4 model family.
• Gemini 3.6 Flash Pricing: Standard pricing for Gemini 3.6 Flash is set at $1.50 per 1M input tokens and $7.50 per 1M output tokens; the Batch API offers these at a 50% discount ($0.75/$3.75).
• Gemini API Parameter Deprecation: As of 21 July 2026, the sampling parameters temperature, top_p, and top_k are deprecated for the latest Gemini 3.x models in favor of newer optimization methods.
• Model Retirement Schedule: The Gemini 2.5 model family (Pro, Flash, and Flash-Lite) is scheduled for official retirement on 16 October 2026, while the gemini-robotics-er-1.6-preview will be shut down on 31 August 2026. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Gemini 2.5 Family Retirement October 16, 2026

As of 30 June 2026, Google has expanded its API lineup with the public preview of Gemini Omni Flash for multimodal video generation and the general availability of Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image. The anticipated launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro has been delayed from June to July 2026 to allow for further refinement. Additionally, the Veo video generation models were officially shut down on 30 June 2026, following the earlier sunset of the Gemini CLI on 18 June 2026.

• Gemini Omni Flash Preview Launch: On 30 June 2026, Google released gemini-omni-flash-preview, a high-performance multimodal model for high-speed video generation and conversational editing via the Interactions API.
• Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image GA: The gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image model (Nano Banana Lite) reached general availability on 30 June 2026, optimized for low-latency image generation.
• Gemini 3.5 Pro Delay: Reports on 24 June 2026 confirmed that Google has pushed the general availability of Gemini 3.5 Pro to July 2026, missing its original June target. (July 1, 2026) 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Gemini 3.5 Pro Expected Launch July 1, 2026
• Veo Model Shutdown: Legacy Veo video generation models (v2.0 and v3.0) were officially shut down on 30 June 2026, requiring users to migrate to Veo 3.1 endpoints.
• Gemini CLI Shutdown: The Gemini CLI was shut down for free, Pro, and Ultra users on 18 June 2026, replaced by the closed-source Antigravity CLI.

On 15 June 2026, Google announced new deprecation schedules for its generative media models, setting the shutdown of Imagen 4 and Gemini 3 Image models for 17 August 2026 and Veo video models for 30 June 2026. Gemini 3.5 Pro remains in limited preview on the rebranded Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform with a general availability target of late June 2026. Standard pricing for Gemini 3.1 models remains stable, with the Batch API continuing to provide a 50% discount for asynchronous processing.

• Imagen 4 and Gemini 3 Image Deprecation: Google announced on 15 June 2026 that stable image generation models, including imagen-4.0-generate-001 and Gemini 3 Image variants, will be shut down on 17 August 2026. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Imagen 4 and Gemini 3 Image Model Shutdown August 17, 2026
• Veo Video Model Shutdown: Official release notes from 15 June 2026 confirm that Veo video generation models (v2.0 and v3.0) will be shut down on 30 June 2026, requiring migration to Veo 3.1. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Veo Video Model Shutdown June 30, 2026
• Gemini 3.5 Pro GA Target: As of 15 June 2026, Gemini 3.5 Pro is in limited preview for enterprise users, with its general availability (GA) launch still officially targeted for June 2026. (June 30, 2026) 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Targeted Gemini 3.5 Pro GA Launch June 30, 2026
• Batch API Pricing Discount: The Gemini Batch API continues to offer a 50% discount compared to standard tier pricing for high-volume, asynchronous workloads across all Gemini 3 series models.