Gemini 3 Flash is now powering AI Mode in Search — but can it actually replace how we use Google?
AI Mode's new model brings Google's vision of the future of search to life
· TechRadarFeatures By Eric Hal Schwartz published 18 December 2025
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Google's new Gemini 3 Flash AI model launched as the default option both on its own in Gemini and as the engine behind AI Mode in Google Search. Faster than the Gemini 1.5 family it replaces, Google claims the new model carries pretty much all of the power of the larger Gemini 3 models released earlier this year.
Powering AI Mode in Search with Gemini 3 Flash fits with Google's efforts to encourage more people to use the blend of AI chatbot and regular search engine, but raises the question of how it does relative to the more traditional option one tab over.
I put together a non-scientific test of the two to see how they stack up and if Gemini 3 Flash might convince me, or anyone else, to skip over the usual Google search.
To test them, I've used incomplete sentences and keywords in Search to keep it fair, as how you do a regular Google search isn't usually how you converse with a chatbot.
Remodeling under budget
One major reason people like Google searches is that they can often offer a quick range of choices based on a couple of parameters, at least with a few extra clicks. I decided to look at how well Gemini Flash 3 could offer helpful results within a strict budget, even if the goal was vague. I typed "$200 home office upgrades three options"
Google’s standard results page delivered the usual Reddit links plus listicles from various websites. Each one had solid recommendations, but would require me to look through them and pair them with prices for a budget.
AI Mode using Gemini 3 Flash was about as fast as the regular search, but set up three product packages, one based on ergonomics, one on lighting, and one on just upgrading the desk. Each package came with short explanations and links to models. With the caveat that applies to all AI around trust, it was certainly a neat curation of options within the stated budget.
Tech support
Troubleshooting queries are always popular for search engines, so I went with one involving multiple systems and possible causes, with a demand for a fix. I searched for "iPhone slow apps on home Wi‑Fi troubleshooting."
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