Google Pixel 9 Pro May Offer Free Gemini Advanced Trial

PSA: Some Pixel 9 Pro buyers can't redeem the free Gemini Advanced trial

Google introduced a ton of new Gemini features with the Pixel 9 series, including the chatbot's much-awaited conversational mode. However, some of these features are locked behind a Gemini Advanced subscription. While Google is offering a free one-year subscription to those who buy the new Pixel 9 Pro models, you might not be able to redeem it. The Gemini Advanced promo gives Pixel 9 Pro buyers a one-year free trial of the Google One AI Premium plan, which includes Gemini Advanced, Gemini in Google services like Gmail and Docs, 2TB of cloud storage, and other Google One Premium plan benefits. It is available to all those who purchase the Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, or 9 Pro Fold, but there's a catch. A user report on Reddit has brought to light fine print indicating that Google won't extend the offer to some existing Google One subscribers, including those who are part of a family plan.

You may have to ditch your Google One family plan to get the Pixel 9 Pro's free year of Gemini Advanced

Gemini Live is ready to take on GPT-4o's real time chats, if you have a Google One subscription Key Takeaways Google is offering a free one-year Google One AI Premium subscription to Pixel 9 Pro series buyers. Early buyers have noticed a limitation that prevents Google One Family plan members from claiming the promotion. The limitation does not affect Google One Family plan owners, but regular members must leave the family group to be able to claim the promotion. Google's Pixel 9 event felt less like a hardware-focused event, and more like a showcase of the company's software prowess. Features like Gemini Live, Gemini 1.5 Pro, and AI integration with Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Sheets overshadowed the new Pixel 9 devices. There's one thing in common with the software smarts mentioned above -- they require a Gemini Advanced subscription, which Google conveniently handed out to all new Pixel 9 Pro series buyers (including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold). Related Can a free year of Gemini Advanced convince you to buy a Pixel? Google is betting heavy on AI If you're an early Pixel 9 Pro series buyer, and looking forward to claiming your free one-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, there's something you need to know. The free subscription essentially grants users access to the Google One AI Premium plan, but you won't be able to claim it if you're a Google One Family plan member or if you already have a higher tier (5TB) Google One subscription, as shared by Android Authority. "So I just found out after dropping nearly 1200 dollars on the new 9 Pro XL that because I'm in a family group I can't access the 1 year promotion that was advertised before my purchase," wrote Reddit user Skys_Divide, adding that Google's support can't do anything to help in this instance, with the only fix being to leave the family group. Cant join back before a year It's worth noting that if you're the one who purchased the membership and added others to the family group, you'll still be able to claim the free one-year Google One AI Premium membership. This was confirmed by multiple users on Skys_Divide's Reddit thread. On the other hand, if you're not the owner of the Google One family group, and just a member added by someone else, you'll have to leave the group before you're able to claim the free one-year promotion. Unfortunately, this also means that you won't be able to rejoin the group for 12 months -- the entirety of your Google One AI Premium/Gemini Advanced free plan. Looking back at Google's store page, it does highlight the limitation in footnotes. "Google One AI Premium plan offer does not apply to Google One members billed through third-party providers, Google One family plan members or Google One members on a 5 TB plan or above," the page reads. Other worth-knowing information about the promotion Related Gemini Live is ready to take on GPT-4o's real time chats, if you have a Google One subscription Plus huge improvements for the Android assistant If you're not an early Pixel 9 Pro series buyer, you'll still be able to claim the promotion. According to Google, The Google One AI Premium plan promo will be available to users as long as they purchase and activate their new device "by the offer expiration date of 31 October, 2025 at 11.59 p.m. PT." This essentially means that even if you purchase a new Pixel 9 Pro series device next year, you'll be eligible for the free one-year Gemini Advanced promo. The 12-month promo will begin on the day you redeem the offer, and exactly one year from then, you'll automatically be charged the standard monthly cost of the plan -- currently $20, unless you cancel the subscription or remove any saved cards. Google Pixel 9 Pro The Pixel 9 Pro is a new addition to Google's lineup, slotting in as a smaller premium flagship to pair with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The latter is the direct successor to 2023's Pixel 8 Pro despite its new XL moniker, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro brings a new form-factor to Google's high-end offerings, sporting the same dimensions as the standard Pixel 9 model while packing all the AI and camera prowess we've grown accustomed to from Google's Pro lineup. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a new name, but it fills the same slot as 2023's Pixel 8 Pro, having similar specs with roughly the same footprint. The non-XL Pixel 9 Pro is new to the lineup as a smaller premium flagship offering. With the 9 Pro XL, however, you get Google's fastest charging, a bigger screen and battery, and all of the camera and Gemini AI smarts you'd get in the smaller 9 Pro. $1099 at Google Store$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Amazon Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Google's foldable series now has a new name! The successor to the 2023-released Pixel Fold is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, starting at $1,800. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a bigger eight-inch Super Actua inner display, paired with a 6.3-inch outer display. It is powered by Google's new Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and a Titan M2 security coprocessor, making it faster than its predecessor, at least on paper. Apart from the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, Google's flagship foldable is now also available in Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, India, Singapore, and Taiwan.