Google Translate Introduces Gemini-Powered Advanced Translation Mode with Model Selection

Google Translate now offers Gemini-assisted translations

Google has started rolling out a new version of its Translate app with a feature that allows you to create more accurate Gemini AI-assisted translations, 9to5Google reported. The feature appears as an AI model picker at the top of the app, allowing you to choose between "Fast" and "Advanced" translations. It's appeared for some users on iOS but not Android to date, and the Advanced mode only translates between English and French, and English and Spanish. To use the new model, simply click on the picker up top. That gives you a choice between "Fast" that "Optimizes for speed and efficiency," and "Advanced," that "specializes in accuracy using Gemini," according to the dialog box. To test this, I ran a passage from Moliere's French language play, Le Misanthrope: "Franchement, il est bon à mettre au cabinet; Vous vous êtes réglé sur de méchants modèles, Et vos expressions ne sont point naturelles." The result from "Fast" mode was nearly a word-for-word translation: "Frankly, he's fit for the closet; you've based yourself on bad models, and your expressions are not natural." That is not only inaccurate (it should be "Frankly, it's fit for the toilet") but also unclear. Advanced mode, meanwhile, gave me an accurate take that better invoked the book's style: "Frankly, it's fit to be thrown in the toilet; You have based yourself on wretched models, And your expressions are not at all natural." The standalone Gemini app in Pro mode delivered nearly the same result, while adding context about the passage and how it fits in with the rest of the play. At the cost of some speed, Google Translate's new Advanced model appears to offer more accurate and contextual translations. If you really need to be sure that a translation is correct, however, it might be best to check Gemini directly, as it can also offer extra context. As always, though, remember that any AI can hallucinate and produce errors.

Google Translate will soon let you pick between faster or more accurate translations

Google continues to revamp its products and services with Gemini, and it looks like Google Translate is next, as a new report suggests two new options are coming to the app that will let you switch between faster and more accurate results. As spotted by 9to5Google, Google seems to be adding two new modes, "Fast" and "Advanced," to the Translate app. The options will appear right below the main Google Translate header. By default, the app will use the "Advanced" translation mode. Tapping the pill-shaped button will open a pop-up dialog box within the app, letting you choose between "Advanced" and "Fast." According to the dialog, the Advanced mode delivers higher accuracy for complex translations, while Fast is designed for quick results. Google also mentions that the "Advanced" model supports only select languages. New translation options spotted in Google Translate It's not yet clear whether this feature will be paid or free for all users, but it seems Google could tie it to those paying for Google AI Pro. This would mark a shift for Google Translate, which has always been free for everyone. However, with Google recently adding more features under its AI Pro umbrella, such as the new Home Premium subscription, it's possible the company will reserve this for paid subscribers. For now, the feature appears to be rolling out only for iPhone users. The publication suggests they first saw it on the Google Translate app for iOS, but we're not seeing it yet on either Android or iOS, even with Google AI Pro accounts. Google has been revamping Translate with Gemini recently, adding a new Practice mode that lets you learn new languages, turning the app into an interactive language tool. This could be another way for the company to integrate Gemini more deeply into the app. In addition, Google has also been testing a new full-screen translation display for the Translate app on Android.

Google Translate adding model picker for 'Advanced' or 'Fast' translations

Following AI-powered live translation and language practice capability, Google Translate is adding a model picker with "Fast" and "Advanced" options. This model picker appears beneath the "Google Translate" logo at the top of the app. "Advanced" is the default option and listed first, with a tap of the pill-shaped container bringing up this new "Choose text translation model" bottom sheet: Google notes how "Advanced is supported for text translation only in select languages." The design matches the Gemini app, though Google recently moved it to the prompt box. It's unclear whether this will be a free or paid capability, with nothing in the UI suggesting it's the latter. For example, it could be tied to Google AI Pro like other model pickers. We're seeing this on some of our iOS devices today, but nothing on Android yet. In August, Google credited "Gemini models in Translate" for making possible "huge strides in translation quality, multimodal translation, and text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities." Meanwhile, at the end of September, Google Translate for iOS gained Control Center widgets for Camera, Translate Text, Dictation, and Conversation. This joins the existing set of lockscreen widgets, while Gemini and Search are the other Google apps that offer Control Center shortcuts.

Check If You Have Access to Google's New Gemini-Powered 'Advanced' Translations

The new model can supposedly better understand nuance, but is currently limited to certain languages. More accurate translations seem to be making their way to Google Translate, as first spotted by 9to5Google. While Lifehacker has not been able to confirm this independently, the publication says some of its iOS devices now show an option to pick an "Advanced" translation model in the Google Translate app. The new model shows up as an option in a model picker at the top of the page, similar to the Gemini app, and advertises "High accuracy for complex translations." Engadget was also able to get the model picker to appear, where the Advanced model said it "specializes in accuracy using Gemini." Those wishing to use the old translation tools can instead continue to use the "Fast" model. Alongside the introduction of an AI-learning tool competing with Duolingo back in August, the new model further cements Google Translate as an AI-powered app, with the idea being that incorporating the LLM will allow for translations of longer, more context-sensitive work. For now, , the Advanced translation model does come with a few limitations. First, it only supports text translation, so no holding your phone out to a native speaker and recording what they say. Second, it only supports "select languages." While 9to5Google does not clarify which languages the Advanced Model works with, Engadget's report says that it currently only works between English and French, or English and Spanish. The publication also tested an excerpt from a French play with the new model, saying that while the Fast model gave a more literal word-for-word translation, the Advanced model was more accurate, taking into account the passage's nuance and better translating an idiom that the old tools missed. While the Advanced model is a more explicit AI addition, it is not the first time the Google Translate app has used AI to translate text. In August, Google said it had already started using "Gemini models in Translate," and the company has been experimenting with its implementation since 2016, saying that AI translation "reduced translation errors by an average of 60%." Still, it marks more choice for those with access to it, and a greater commitment to bring new AI tools to the app. Unfortunately, it seems like it'll take some time to roll out fully, as I currently don't see it on any of my devices. I've contacted Google for an update on when the Advanced model is likely to reach all users.

Google Translate Model Picker Matters More Than You Think - Phandroid

Google Translate just added something that sounds simple but changes everything. The app now lets you pick between two translation modes: a "Fast" model for quick translations and an "Advanced" model powered by Google's Gemini AI for deeper, context-aware accuracy. It's a small toggle that solves a problem most people didn't realize they had. Google Translate has been getting smarter with AI for a while now, but this update hands control directly to users. The model picker appears under the Google Translate title and on translation result pages. Currently, the Advanced model supports only specific language pairs, including English to and from Spanish and French, with more coming soon. The Fast model handles everyday situations like menu translations or quick travel phrases. The Advanced Gemini model digs deeper, understanding context and nuance that matters for professional documents, academic papers, or business communications. This isn't just about speed versus accuracy. It's about recognizing that different situations demand different tools. This update reflects a bigger shift in how AI tools work. Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, Google is acknowledging that users have different needs at different times. A tourist ordering coffee doesn't need the same translation depth as a lawyer reviewing contracts. The staged rollout with limited languages shows Google's taking a careful approach to deploying cutting-edge AI. However, the implications go beyond simple translation. Professionals in law, medicine, and international business now have access to more reliable translations without switching apps or services. Students learning new languages get more accurate examples and context-aware usage patterns. Google is also bundling this with UI improvements like consolidated voice input, handwriting, and paste buttons, plus gamified language learning features similar to Duolingo. The company is positioning Google Translate as more than just a translation tool, transforming it into a complete language learning and communication platform. For accessibility, this matters even more. People who rely on translation for daily communication now have options that better serve their specific needs, whether that's quick comprehension or precise understanding. The model picker turns Google Translate from a basic utility into a customizable tool that adapts to you, not the other way around.