Google criticized for delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro

Google Under Pressure for Delayed Launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, is currently in the spotlight due to the delay of its cutting-edge artificial intelligence model, Gemini 3.5 Pro. This postponement has sparked mocking reactions from competitors, who have not hesitated to express their skepticism. One analyst even pointed out that this delay has shifted Google from the forefront to the back of the pack in the AI field. Alexandr Wang, head of AI at Meta, sarcastically commented on the situation by posting on X, asking "Gemini who?"

A Once-Dominant Position Called into Question

Google, which had solidified its position with the success of Gemini 3 at the end of 2025, now finds itself in a more precarious situation. Although the company recently introduced three new, faster, and more economical models, the delayed launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro raises doubts about its ability to meet the expectations of users and investors. This uncertainty is further amplified as Google's competitors are quick to take advantage of the situation to openly criticize the tech giant.

Competitors Unleashed

Google's rivals, such as Meta and OpenAI, have not held back in commenting on the situation. Alexandr Wang reacted to a ranking that placed Meta's Spark model above Google's, mocking it on X. Meanwhile, Thibault Sottiaux from OpenAI took a jab in response to an announcement by Logan Kilpatrick from Google regarding the pre-training of Gemini 4, ironically hoping that this model would someday be completed.

Google Remains Silent

In the face of these criticisms, Google has chosen not to comment publicly. However, the delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro is particularly notable given that other companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have recently launched new cutting-edge models. According to Josh Beck, an analyst at Raymond James, this delay has contributed to shifting the perception of Google in the ever-evolving AI sector.

Thriving Business Despite Setbacks

Despite this setback, Google has experienced successes in other areas in recent quarters. Search, YouTube, Cloud, and other sectors have benefited from Google's AI advancements. The company is also betting on faster and more cost-effective models, a potentially winning strategy at a time when token costs are rising.

A Trade-off Between Efficiency and Power

Google's emphasis on the efficiency of its models has been praised by some users. Kyle Walker, founder of Clearfork Intelligence, expressed his appreciation for Gemini 3.5 Flash, which he uses daily for agentic document extraction. However, Google will likely need to address the trade-off between efficiency and power when announcing its second-quarter financial results.

High Expectations for Gemini 4

Anshel Sag, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, expressed his reservations about promoting Gemini 4 even before the release of Gemini 3.5 Pro. According to him, this could be perceived as an acknowledgment by Google that they already have a superior model in the works. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the rapid pace of AI developments does not necessarily guarantee significant improvements.

A Different Company in a Competitive Market

Sag also noted that Google, as a large company, takes a different approach compared to its competitors. He added that it is still too early to rule Google out of the race, despite the current challenges.