Daniel Mercer
Gemini users anticipating the arrival of Gemini 3.5 Pro at Google I/O 2026 were left feeling let down. During the May developer conference, Google introduced a lighter variant, the Gemini 3.5 Flash, designed for everyday tasks. CEO Sundar Pichai reassured attendees that the Gemini 3.5 Pro would be available in June.
“We are also looking forward to 3.5 Pro,” Pichai mentioned during a media briefing before Google I/O. “We are currently utilizing it internally. It is demonstrating significant improvements. We are still in the process of testing and refining it, and it will be available to everyone next month.”
As of July 17, there remains no update regarding the model’s release.
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What is Causing the Delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro?
Recently, Bloomberg reported on the postponed launch, with journalists Julia Love and Davey Alba noting that “The delay has caused frustration among Google engineers, AI researchers, and managers, who are concerned the company risks losing its competitive edge to rivals Anthropic and OpenAI.”
Mashable reached out to Google for clarification on the Gemini 3.5 Pro launch schedule, and the company provided the same statement shared with Bloomberg.
Mashable Light Speed
“We’re rapidly launching a variety of models while ensuring they remain cost-effective for our customers. We are currently testing 3.5 Pro, an enhanced Flash model, along with other models in collaboration with partners, and we are actively engaged with the U.S. government on model testing and broader frameworks.”
While a one-month delay may not typically be significant, the AI sector has been evolving swiftly in recent months. The longer Google postpones the release of Gemini 3.5, the higher the performance standards it must meet to stay competitive with its peers. According to Bloomberg, even Meta has introduced a new model that surpasses Google Gemini.
Bloomberg’s analysis identifies two main factors contributing to the delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro. The first is bureaucratic. Due to the extensive size of Google’s organization and the multitude of products integrated with Gemini, delays are more likely compared to smaller, more agile AI startups. Secondly, Bloomberg suggests that Google leaders are concerned that Gemini 3.5 Pro might not stack up against the recent releases from their competitors.
Since Google I/O 2026, Anthropic announced the launch of its most sophisticated model to date, Claude Mythos Preview. The company stated that this model possesses advanced cybersecurity features that would only be shared with trusted partners. Eventually, Anthropic released a version of Claude Mythos named Fable 5 on June 9.
On July 9, OpenAI revealed its own next-generation model, GPT‑5.6 Sol, equipped with advanced cybersecurity coding capabilities.
This week, the Chinese AI lab Moonshot launched Kimi K3, a massive open-source model boasting 2.8 trillion parameters. Initial testers claim it offers similar functionalities to Fable 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol, but at a significantly lower cost.
Without a groundbreaking model of its own, Google has slipped in AI rankings, even with its considerable advantages in the AI competition. Google enjoys unparalleled access to a wealth of global data and can seamlessly integrate its AI tools into the hands of billions of Android users worldwide.
While the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro may be imminent, Google must prepare for the model’s release while the competition continues to surge ahead.
