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Google announced Gemini 1.5 on February 15, 2024, presenting Gemini 1.5 Pro as a multimodal model built to handle much longer inputs. But “dwarfs all other models” is not a proven conclusion: Google’s announcement and technical paper describe Google’s own capabilities and evaluations, not a neutral comparison of every competing model. Gemini 1.5 Pro is also no longer available through the Gemini API; Google’s changelog records its shutdown on September 29, 2025.
What Google announced about Gemini 1.5 Pro
Google introduced Gemini 1.5 as a new model family on February 15, 2024, initially offering Gemini 1.5 Pro in a limited preview for developers and enterprise customers. The announcement emphasized long-context processing: the ability to take in a large amount of material in one request. Google also described the model family as multimodal and said it used a mixture-of-experts architecture. Google’s announcement and technical paper provide the company’s account of its design and evaluations.
The headline’s sweeping comparison is not supported by those sources. Google reported its own benchmark and long-context results, but those do not establish that Gemini 1.5 Pro outperformed every other model across tasks, versions, and testing methods.
What the context-window numbers meant
A context window is the amount of input a model can process together, measured in tokens—units that may represent parts of words, punctuation, or other text. A larger window can help with tasks involving lengthy documents or other substantial inputs, but the number alone does not establish how accurately a model retrieves or reasons over everything it receives.
#1 Best Overall
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
| Figure | What Google said | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 128,000 tokens | Google described this as the standard context window planned for a wider release. | It was not a claim that every participant in the initial limited preview received this window. Google’s February 2024 wording was: “We’ll introduce 1.5 Pro with a standard 128,000 token context window when the model is ready for a wider release.” Source. |
| 1 million tokens | Google described plans for tiers scaling to one million tokens and experimental access to the larger window. | This was not the default available to every user at launch. Source. |
| 2 million tokens | Google later announced two-million-token context access for Gemini 1.5 Pro developers. | This was a later expansion, announced in June 2024—not the original February launch specification. Source. |
Google’s technical paper also reports retrieval above 99% in experiments reaching at least 10 million tokens. That is a result reported by the paper’s Google authors; it does not mean the commercial service offered a 10-million-token context window. Read the paper.
How availability changed after launch
- February 15, 2024: Google announced Gemini 1.5, with Gemini 1.5 Pro initially in limited preview. Announcement.
- May 2024: Google said it was bringing Gemini 1.5 Pro to Gemini Advanced subscribers and expanding developer access. Update.
- June 2024: Google announced two-million-token context access for developers using Gemini 1.5 Pro. Update.
- September 29, 2025: Google’s Gemini API changelog records shutdown of
gemini-1.5-pro,gemini-1.5-flash, andgemini-1.5-flash-8b. Gemini 1.5 Pro is therefore a historical model, not a currently available Gemini API endpoint. API changelog.
Does “dwarfs all other models” hold up?
Not as a general, evidence-based ranking. A defensible comparison would need to match specific model versions and release periods, then assess comparable tasks, input modalities, usable context and retrieval quality, access conditions, and benchmark methods. The cited Google material establishes that the company highlighted long-context capabilities and reported its own evaluations; it does not establish an across-the-board victory over competitors.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
Google’s research scientist Nikolay Savinov described the ambition behind the context target: “Our original plan was to achieve 128,000 tokens in context, and I thought setting an ambitious bar would be good, so I suggested 1 million tokens.” Google’s account gives context for the goal, but an ambitious target is not itself independent proof of superiority.
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Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
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