A new code leak hints Google is quietly plotting a major shift in how users access its most powerful AI. The tech giant seems to be preparing not one, but two new premium subscription options for Gemini Advanced, potentially changing how much — and how often — people pay for the service.
So far, Google’s been pretty tight-lipped. There’s been no official announcement. But hidden in the backend of the latest Google Photos app are clues that reveal a shift is coming.
Two New Plans: ‘AI Premium Plus’ and ‘AI Premium Pro’
Let’s cut straight to it — developers digging through the Google Photos app recently uncovered references to two never-before-seen plans: “AI Premium Plus” and “AI Premium Pro.”
Right now, if you want access to Gemini Advanced, your only path is through the $19.99/month Google One AI Premium plan. That includes 2TB of cloud storage and AI goodies baked into Gmail, Docs, Photos, and NotebookLM.
Now, with these two mysterious names floating around, there’s speculation that Google is about to get way more granular — and possibly more expensive.
There’s no pricing info just yet. No launch date either. Just names tucked quietly into app code.
Why This Might Not Be Cheaper — At All
Let’s be real: hearing there are “Plus” and “Pro” versions of something rarely means you’re about to save money.
So if you’re hoping one of these new plans is a budget-friendly way into Gemini Advanced, chances are slim. Think upgrades, not discounts.
A lot of folks expected Google to offer more affordable tiers, maybe stripping away the cloud storage or limiting access to fewer apps. Instead, it looks like Google is climbing up the ladder — not down.
Even the cheaper annual version of the current $19.99/month plan, which Google has confirmed, doesn’t appear to be connected to these new tiers.
What More Could They Possibly Add?
Let’s speculate a bit. What could possibly justify a more expensive AI subscription?
For starters, Gemini’s video generation tool, Veo 2, is currently capped. Users can only create a handful of 8-second clips per month. That’s… limiting.
So one possibility is extended video limits. Or longer durations. Or higher resolutions.
There’s also the increasing push into smartphone bundles. With flagship phones like the Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 already tossing in 12 months of free Google One AI Premium, there’s clearly demand. That opens the door for upselling.
Think about it: if you’re getting AI for free with your new phone, but can unlock more for a bit extra, that’s easy money for Google.
Another angle? Workspace integration. Maybe the “Pro” plan will focus more on power users — think developers, creators, or business teams who need Gemini’s best every day.
What’s Currently in the $19.99 Plan?
This is what any new plan would have to beat — or at least tweak.
Maybe “Plus” keeps all of this and raises the limits. Maybe “Pro” throws in something entirely new — like advanced code generation or exclusive developer tools.
The Bigger Picture: A New AI Pricing Era?
It’s not just Google. Everyone’s doing it. Microsoft is already bundling Copilot into everything from Teams to Windows. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has a “Plus” plan at $20/month. Even smaller AI players are building tiered access.
AI has become a service now. And like any service — from Netflix to Spotify — the pricing model is going to keep changing.
The tricky part? Convincing users that these new tiers are worth it.
For Google, the stakes are high. It’s pouring billions into AI infrastructure. It needs these services to make money — not just headlines.
This leak, intentional or not, sends a clear message: Google’s not done tweaking how AI is packaged and sold. In fact, it might just be getting started.
