Release · High impact9 sources

Google rolls out Gemini 4 Hydrogen, finally replacing 3.8 Flash

The Brief · written from 9 sources

Google launched Gemini 4 Hydrogen on 2026-11-12, available in AI Studio, the Gemini API, Google Search, and paid AI Pro and Ultra tiers in Antigravity.
Hydrogen is priced at $1.50 per 1M input tokens and $7.50 per 1M output tokens.
Hydrogen replaces the Flash series, and The Decoder reports it outscores the larger Argon model on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index.

Why it matters

Developers using the Gemini API or AI Studio get a new model with published per-token pricing, and teams relying on Flash models will need to evaluate the replacement. Vercel AI Gateway also lists the model.

Who’s affected

Developers using the Gemini API
Teams using AI Studio or Google Antigravity
Vercel AI Gateway users

What to do

Evaluate Gemini 4 Hydrogen against your current Flash or Argon model if you rely on those for cost or latency reasons.

Gemini 4 Hydrogen
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Google is continuing its elemental AI naming scheme with the new Gemini 4 Hydrogen . These names are less descriptive than the Pro/Flash monikers of earlier releases, but Hydrogen's purpose is clear: It replaces the faster, more economical Flash models most people in Google's…

Read the full story at arstechnica.com ↗