We tried Google Gemini for a while and it’s one of the most useful AI assistants we’ve seen for Android and iOS. It brings together Google’s latest AI with all your favorite Google apps. That means you can use it for creative projects, getting things done, or just making life a bit easier.

What makes Gemini special is how easily it works with things like Search, Maps, YouTube, and Gmail. We used it to plan trips, brainstorm ideas, and even turn files into podcasts. It quickly became our go-to helper for all sorts of tasks.

Here’s what we liked, what could be better, and how Gemini compares to other AI assistants we’ve used.

Key Features

  • AI-Powered Chat & Assistance – Get help with brainstorming, research, and productivity tasks using Google’s latest AI models
  • Google App Integration – Seamlessly connect with Search, Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and more for a unified experience
  • Image & Video Generation – Create images from text and generate short video clips (Pro/Ultra plans)
  • Live Mode – Go live with Gemini to discuss ideas, rehearse, or simplify complex topics in real time
  • File-to-Podcast – Turn any file into a podcast you can listen to on the go
  • Trip Planning & Summaries – Plan trips, get summaries, and deep dives on any topic, all in one place

Pros

  • Generous free tier with strong core features
  • Deep integration with Google apps and services
  • Powerful AI for creativity and productivity
  • Image and video generation capabilities
  • Live mode and file-to-podcast are unique tools
  • Frequent updates and new features

Cons

  • Some features only available on certain devices or regions
  • Advanced features require a paid subscription
  • Not all Google Assistant features are present yet
  • Occasional confusion due to inconsistent feature rollout

Pricing

Gemini is free to download and use, with most core features available at no cost. For users who want more advanced capabilities, there are two paid plans:

  • Pro Plan: $19.99/month – Unlocks more access to Gemini’s most capable AI (2.5 Pro), video generation with Veo 3 Fast, deep research, higher limits for image and video creation, Gemini in Gmail, Docs, and Chrome, and 2 TB of storage.
  • Ultra Plan: $249.99/month (or $124.99/month for the first 3 months) – Everything in Pro, plus the highest level of access to Veo 3, Project Mariner, YouTube Premium, 30 TB of storage, and early access to new AI features.

The free version is generous, and the paid plans are fair for what you get. There are no hidden fees.
Prices as of July 2025. Check the official Gemini subscription page for the latest details.

Review

8.2

In our review of Google Gemini, we considered the categories Features, Design, Ease of Use, Security & Privacy, Value for Money and Performance. Each category was given equal importance and we'll dive into the details of each in the following section.

Features
7.8

Gemini is packed with things you can do:

  • Get help with homework
  • Make images
  • Plan trips
  • Connects with Google services like Search and Maps

If you pay for Pro or Ultra, you get even more, like video generation and deep research.

But not everything works everywhere. Some features, like video-to-talk, didn’t show up on all our devices. And if you’re used to the old Google Assistant, you might miss a few things. Still, the basics work well and Gemini keeps getting better. Just check if the features you want are available for your phone.

We think Gemini’s features are strong, but we’d like to see them work the same for everyone.

Design
8.5

Gemini looks and feels like a Google app. It’s clean, modern, and easy to use. We liked how simple it was to find what we needed. The colors and icons make it friendly, and everything loads fast.

We didn’t run into any design problems, and most people seem to like how it looks. We do wish there were more ways to customize things, but overall, it’s a nice app to use.

Ease of Use
8.0

Gemini is easy to get started with.

  • Menus are clear
  • Main features are easy to find
  • No manual needed

Some features only work on certain phones or in some countries, which can be confusing. We also wish you could talk to Gemini without always opening the app. But for most things, it’s simple and quick.

Security & Privacy
8.2

Gemini uses Google’s usual privacy and security rules.

  • Your data is handled by Google’s privacy policy
  • You can check the details in the app
  • No privacy problems or weird permissions in our tests

Like other Google apps, some data is collected to make things work better. If you care a lot about privacy, it’s worth reading the policy. We like that you can change some privacy settings, but this isn’t an offline or anonymous tool.

Value for Money
8.3

Gemini gives you a lot for free:

  • Main features work without paying
  • Extras like video generation need Pro or Ultra
  • Most people won’t need to upgrade right away

The free version is generous, and the paid plans are fair for what you get. There are no hidden fees.

Performance
8.6

Gemini runs smoothly.

  • App opens fast
  • Answers come quickly
  • No crashes or slowdowns in our tests

Some features aren’t on every device yet, but that’s not a speed issue. For what’s there, everything works as it should.

Conclusion

We’ve used Gemini for a while and think it’s a smart, helpful assistant that keeps getting better. There are still a few things missing, but the basics are strong and new features show up often.

If you want a free AI assistant that works well with Google apps and can help with lots of tasks, Gemini is a great pick. We’re excited to see how it improves in the future.