Gemini 1.5 Pro vs Gemini 3 Flash
Gemini 3 Flash significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Gemini 3 Flash is 3.9x cheaper per token.
Google · Google · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
Gemini 1.5 Pro outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Gemini 3 Flash is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA). Gemini 3 Flash significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
On price, Gemini 3 Flash is roughly 3.9x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
Gemini 1.5 Pro also accepts a larger context window (2,097,152 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.
Based on current benchmark, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose Gemini 1.5 Pro
- you process long inputs — it offers a 2,097,152 token context window
Choose Gemini 3 Flash
- you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
- cost matters — it's about 3.9x cheaper per token
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Dec 2025
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Performance Benchmarks
Comparative analysis across standard metrics
Gemini 1.5 Pro outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Gemini 3 Flash is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA).
Gemini 3 Flash significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Arena Performance
Playground indexes and blind preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, Gemini 1.5 Pro ($2.50/1M tokens) is 5.0x more expensive than Gemini 3 Flash ($0.50/1M tokens).
For output processing, Gemini 1.5 Pro ($10.00/1M tokens) is 3.3x more expensive than Gemini 3 Flash ($3.00/1M tokens).
In conclusion, Gemini 1.5 Pro is more expensive than Gemini 3 Flash.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
Gemini 1.5 Pro accepts 2,097,152 input tokens compared to Gemini 3 Flash's 1,000,000 tokens. Gemini 3 Flash can generate longer responses up to 65,536 tokens, while Gemini 1.5 Pro is limited to 8,192 tokens.
Input Capabilities
Supported data types and modalities
Both Gemini 1.5 Pro and Gemini 3 Flash support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
Gemini 1.5 Pro
Gemini 3 Flash
License
Usage and distribution terms
Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.
Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.
Proprietary
Closed source
Proprietary
Closed source
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
Gemini 1.5 Pro was released on 2024-05-01, while Gemini 3 Flash was released on 2025-12-17.
Gemini 3 Flash is 20 months newer than Gemini 1.5 Pro.
May 1, 2024
2.3 years ago
Dec 17, 2025
8 months ago
1.6yr newerKnowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Gemini 1.5 Pro has a knowledge cutoff of 2023-11-01, while Gemini 3 Flash has a cutoff of 2025-01-31.
Gemini 3 Flash has more recent training data (up to 2025-01-31), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to Gemini 1.5 Pro (2023-11-01).
Nov 2023
Jan 2025
1.2 yr newerProvider Availability
Gemini 1.5 Pro is available from Google. Gemini 3 Flash is available from Google.
Gemini 1.5 Pro
Gemini 3 Flash
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against Gemini 1.5 Pro and Gemini 3 Flash side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about Gemini 1.5 Pro vs Gemini 3 Flash.