Google’s Gemini 3 Launch on November 18, 2025 marks one of the most significant AI milestones of the year. With Gemini 3 Pro now powering everything from Google Search’s new AI Mode to the Gemini app, Vertex AI, and the new Antigravity IDE, this release changes how developers, enterprises, and everyday users interact with generative AI.
With multiple models, new pricing tiers, and advanced agentic features, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide breaks down what’s new, what’s best for you, and how Gemini 3 compares to rivals like GPT-5.1 and Claude Sonnet 4.5.
Quick Answer (TL;DR):
- Best overall model: Gemini 3 Pro — unmatched multimodal reasoning
- Best for developers: Gemini API & Antigravity — agentic workflows made practical
- Best for everyday users: AI Mode in Search — frontier reasoning built into Google Search
Below, you’ll find the 7 key things to know about the Gemini 3 launch — from benchmarks to pricing — all based exclusively on verified data from Google, DeepMind, and independent evaluations.
Comparison Table: Gemini 3 Launch Products and Highlights
| Surface | Key Feature | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3 Pro | SOTA multimodal reasoning | Free via app; $2/$12 API | Power users, researchers |
| Deep Think Mode | Enhanced reasoning (safety-gated) | Coming soon | High-risk reasoning tasks |
| AI Mode in Search | Integrated AI synthesis | Included in Google AI Pro/Ultra | Everyday users, researchers |
| Gemini API / AI Studio | 1M-token context window | $2/$12 per 1M tokens | Developers, startups |
| Vertex AI | Enterprise controls & monitoring | Usage-based | Large organizations |
| Antigravity IDE | Agentic “vibe coding” workflows | Included | Developers, engineers |
| Gemini CLI | Local testing & model switching | Free | Experimenters, testers |
1. Gemini 3 Pro – Google’s Flagship Multimodal Model
Gemini 3 Pro is the centerpiece of the launch — Google’s most capable multimodal model yet, available across the Gemini app, AI Mode in Search, AI Studio, and Vertex AI.
Key Features
- State-of-the-art benchmarks: 91.9% on GPQA Diamond, 95% on AIME 2025 (100% with code), 81% on MMMU-Pro
- 1M-token input / 64k output context window
- Multimodal reasoning across text, images, and video
- Integrated into Search and developer tools from day one
- Transparent evaluation methodology via DeepMind’s official page
Pros
- Highest overall benchmark performance at launch
- Strongest multimodal and video understanding in its class
- Unified access across consumer, developer, and enterprise surfaces
Cons
- Long-context accuracy drops at 1M tokens (26.3%)
- Deep Think mode withheld for further safety testing
Pricing/Availability
- Free in the Gemini app and AI Studio (rate-limited)
- $2 per 1M input tokens and $12 per 1M output tokens (≤200k input)
- Preview model:
gemini-3-pro-preview
Best for: Users and teams needing high-accuracy multimodal reasoning, complex research synthesis, or robust agentic coding.
2. Deep Think Mode – Enhanced Reasoning Under Review
Deep Think is an advanced reasoning mode built on Gemini 3’s architecture, currently under additional safety evaluationbefore public release.
Key Features
- Designed for high-depth reasoning and reflection
- Withheld at launch pending external safety review
- Planned rollout to Google AI Ultra subscribers
Pros
- Promises deeper logical chains and introspection
- Strong potential for scientific and analytical tasks
Cons
- Not yet publicly available (expected weeks post-launch)
- Undergoing safety and misuse testing
Pricing/Availability
- Availability planned for Google AI Ultra (no pricing announced)
- Limited access for safety testers
Best for: Researchers and analysts once released, focusing on high-risk reasoning under tight safety guardrails.
3. AI Mode in Search – Frontier AI for Everyone
AI Mode in Search represents the most visible integration of Gemini 3 for everyday users. It enables multimodal, cited answers directly in Google Search.
Key Features
- Powered by Gemini 3 Pro for Pro/Ultra subscribers
- Uses a query fan-out strategy for deeper research
- Supports text, voice, and image queries
- Deep Search can issue hundreds of searches for cited reports
Pros
- Mainstreams AI-assisted research
- Produces fully cited, multimodal answers
- Reduces time spent on manual information gathering
Cons
- Advanced reasoning limited to Pro/Ultra plans
- Some latency in large Deep Search sessions
Pricing/Availability
- Included in Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions
- General rollout in U.S. markets first
Best for: Everyday users, journalists, and analysts seeking trusted, cited results without leaving Search.
4. Gemini API & AI Studio – Accessible Long-Context Power
The Gemini API delivers Gemini 3 Pro to developers through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, enabling massive context windows and structured retrieval workflows.
Key Features
- 1M-token input / 64k output window
- Preview pricing: $2 input / $12 output per 1M tokens (≤200k input)
- Free usage tier in AI Studio (rate-limited)
- Retrieval and grounding controls for cost transparency
Pros
- Industry-leading context size for RAG pipelines
- Transparent billing and spend-based rate limits
- Free sandbox access for prototyping
Cons
- Throughput limited by spend-based tiers
- Long-context accuracy drops beyond 128k tokens
Pricing/Availability
- Gemini API pricing page lists preview rates
- Available globally through AI Studio and Vertex AI
Best for: Developers building retrieval-augmented generation, multimodal analytics, or agentic assistants.
5. Vertex AI – Enterprise-Grade Gemini Integration
For enterprises, Vertex AI integrates Gemini 3 Pro with governance, monitoring, and enterprise controls.
Key Features
- Enterprise authentication and monitoring
- Centralized procurement and billing
- Integration with existing Google Cloud infrastructure
- Supports Gemini 3 Pro preview model
Pros
- Enterprise-ready with compliance and audit support
- Unified access to multimodal and agentic capabilities
- Scales easily across teams and departments
Cons
- Preview status may limit immediate GA deployment
- Requires Google Cloud familiarity to configure fully
Pricing/Availability
- Usage-based pricing under standard Vertex AI billing
- Gemini 3 Pro available as a managed model
Best for: Enterprises adopting AI-driven analytics, internal copilots, or customer-facing chat systems with compliance needs.
6. Antigravity IDE – A New Era of Agentic Development
The Antigravity platform introduces a new “AI-first IDE,” where developers can plan, code, and execute workflows with Gemini 3 as an active collaborator.
Key Features
- Agentic planning and execution loops
- Seamless tool use and multi-step workflows
- Integrates directly with Gemini 3 Pro
- Enables “vibe coding” — conversationally guided development
Pros
- Reduces friction in building agentic applications
- Strong results on τ2-bench (85.4%) and Terminal-Bench 2.0 (54.2%)
- Early testers report improved tone and actionability
Cons
- New workflow paradigm requires adaptation
- Best results depend on fine-tuning tool setups
Pricing/Availability
- Included with Gemini developer offerings
- Available as of launch day, November 18, 2025
Best for: Developers and teams building AI agents, coding copilots, and end-to-end automation workflows.
7. Gemini CLI – Streamlined Local Experimentation
The Gemini CLI provides a fast, local interface for testing Gemini 3 models, ideal for quick experiments and debugging.
Key Features
- Command-line access to Gemini 3 Pro preview
- Model selection and switching support
- Integrates with AI Studio and Antigravity
Pros
- Lightweight and fast for testing prompts
- Ideal for continuous integration or local pipelines
- Simplifies model version management
Cons
- Requires command-line familiarity
- Limited visualization compared to GUI tools
Pricing/Availability
- Free to use with Gemini accounts
- Supports preview model via API credentials
Best for: Technical users running experiments or integrating Gemini into local developer workflows.
How to Choose the Right Gemini 3 Option
Choosing between Gemini 3’s many surfaces depends on your goals:
| Use Case | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday research and writing | AI Mode in Search | Built-in citations and multimodal reasoning |
| Developer prototyping | AI Studio / API | Free tier, large context window |
| Enterprise deployment | Vertex AI | Controls, monitoring, scalability |
| Agentic coding | Antigravity IDE | End-to-end plan-execute workflows |
| Local testing | Gemini CLI | Fast, scriptable, lightweight |
Pro Tip: Keep prompts under 200k input tokens to stay within the $2/$12 pricing tier, and chunk large contexts for better accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Gemini 3 different from Gemini 2.5?
Gemini 3 Pro outperforms Gemini 2.5 Pro across nearly every benchmark, including GPQA Diamond (91.9% vs. 86.4%) and Video-MMMU (87.6% vs. 83.6%). It also introduces better tool use, a 1M-token context, and agentic task handling through Antigravity.
How does Gemini 3 compare to GPT-5.1 or Claude Sonnet 4.5?
According to DeepMind’s benchmark data, Gemini 3 leads on most multimodal and reasoning tasks, especially in video and image understanding. Coding performance is near parity on SWE-Bench Verified, but Gemini 3 excels on LiveCodeBench Pro and τ2-bench.
Is Gemini 3 available for free?
Yes. The Gemini app and AI Studio offer free, rate-limited access to Gemini 3 Pro. Paid tiers apply for larger workloads or API calls exceeding free quotas.
What is “Deep Search” inside AI Mode?
Deep Search is an advanced feature in AI Mode that issues hundreds of parallel queries, synthesizing and citing results into structured reports — ideal for research, journalism, or academic work.
When will Deep Think be available?
Google states that Deep Think will roll out to Google AI Ultra subscribers “in the coming weeks,” pending completion of additional safety evaluations.
Conclusion
The Gemini 3 Launch unifies Google’s AI ecosystem around a single, multimodal, agentic foundation. For most users, AI Mode in Search brings frontier reasoning into daily life. For developers, the Gemini API and Antigravity IDEunlock new levels of automation and creativity. And for enterprises, Vertex AI delivers scalable, governed access to Google’s most advanced model yet.
Top Recommendations:
- Everyday users: Try AI Mode in Search for instant, cited answers
- Developers: Experiment with Gemini 3 Pro via AI Studio (free tier)
- Enterprises: Deploy through Vertex AI for compliance and scale
Start exploring Gemini 3 today in the Gemini app or AI Studio — and see how Google’s most capable AI model yet reshapes how you search, create, and build.