Google announced a massive upgrade to Gemini 3 Deep Think, its specialized reasoning mode designed to solve high-level challenges in science, research, and engineering. While the base Gemini 3 was introduced in late 2025, this 2026 update represents a “significant leap” in the model’s ability to handle messy, real-world data and problems without clear guardrails.
The model is currently rolling out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app and, for the first time, is being made available via the Gemini API through an early access program.
The updated Gemini 3 Deep Think has reportedly “crushed” some of the most rigorous benchmarks in the AI world, outperforming major rivals like OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6.
| Benchmark | Gemini 3 Deep Think Score | Significance |
| ARC-AGI-2 | 84.6% | An unprecedented record for general intelligence reasoning. |
| Humanity’s Last Exam | 48.4% | Set a new standard for performance without using external tools. |
| Codeforces (Elo) | 3455 | Achieved “Legendary Grandmaster” status in competitive programming. |
| IMO 2025 | Gold-Medal Level | Solved Olympiad-level math problems with human-like proofs. |
Key Capabilities: Beyond Theoretical Logic
Unlike standard models that provide quick answers, Deep Think uses iterative rounds of reasoning to explore multiple hypotheses simultaneously.
- The “Scientist’s Assistant”: The model now excels in advanced theoretical physics and chemistry. It demonstrated gold-medal results on the written sections of the 2025 Physics and Chemistry Olympiads.
- Complex Data Interpretation: Researchers at Duke University have already used the system to optimize semiconductor crystal growth, while mathematicians at Rutgers used it to identify logical flaws in gravity-quantum mechanics papers that had passed human peer review.
- 3D Modeling & Engineering: In a practical showcase, Google demonstrated how Deep Think can analyze a 2D sketch, model the complex physics of the shape, and generate a 3D-printable file for a physical object.
How to Access Gemini 3 Deep Think
Access remains tiered to ensure high-quality inference for complex tasks.
- For Consumers: You must be a Google AI Ultra subscriber. In the Gemini app, select “Deep Think” in the prompt bar and ensure “Thinking” is selected in the model dropdown.
- For Developers: Google has opened an Early Access Program for the Gemini API. Enterprises and researchers can apply to integrate Deep Think’s reasoning power into their own specialized tools.
“Deep Think moves beyond abstract theory to drive practical applications… helping scientists and researchers tackle challenges where problems often lack clear guardrails.” — Sundar Pichai, Google CEO.
