Google is testing the next generation of Gemini 4 models, with the internally codenamed “Argon” set for imminent public release. The testing version codenamed “Carbon” has demonstrated exceptional performance in code writing and processing, with employees reporting its capability is comparable to Anthropic’s Opus 5.5. The model has been integrated into Google’s internal code platform, Jetski, for comprehensive testing. Currently, Google is testing multiple derivative models internally, including Argon, Barium, and Carbon, but it remains uncertain how Carbon will ultimately be released.Author and source: AIBase
Google's next-generation large model is poised to launch, with Google set to officially release the new Gemini 4 "Argon" model to the public. Meanwhile, internal employees are actively testing a more powerful subsequent iteration, aiming to narrow the technological gap with leading industry competitors through continuous technical advancements.
According to leaked internal documents and screenshots, Google employees have recently been testing a new version codenamed "Carbon." This model is likely a new checkpoint update under the Argon architecture and has recently been successfully integrated into Google’s internal code platform, Jetski. Internal test feedback indicates that Carbon has drawn significant attention for its code generation and processing capabilities, with some employees even suggesting its performance is “on par with Opus5.5”—Anthropic’s top-tier model designed for complex, long-term code agent tasks. However, the team emphasized that this impressive result still requires more rigorous evaluation to be fully validated.
Looking back on the development journey of the Gemini 4 series, the early version of Argon also received generally positive feedback during internal testing. Some employees noted that the early version still struggled slightly with certain complex programming tasks, performing roughly at the level of Anthropic’s previously released Claude Opus. Currently, Google has launched comprehensive testing on multiple Gemini 4 derivative models, including those codenamed Argon, Barium, and Carbon.
It should be noted that the internal codenames of tech giants' products often do not fully correspond to their final public release names. For example, internal documents reveal that the model previously announced under the name "Argon" originally carried the internal codename "Barium-B." Therefore, it remains unclear whether the highly anticipated Carbon will be released as a subsequent fine-tuned version of Argon or as an independent new model under the Gemini 4 family. Google has so far remained silent and declined to comment on the matter.