Nano Banana 2.1
Google's image model, now good at a lot of things, and a good second opinion next to GPT-Image.
Quality
Modality
image
Resolution
4K
Access
closed
Fabian's Take
"I've tried it, and it's quite good now with a lot of things. My main use: a second opinion. When I make something with GPT-Image-2.5, I run the same request through Nano Banana to compare."
Nano Banana 2.1 is an update to Nano Banana 2 (Google’s Gemini 3.1 Flash Image model), released on 6 October 2026. Google names better visual quality, closer prompt adherence, more consistent characters across several rounds of editing, and better text rendering. Nano Banana 2 is still available, but 2.1 is its named successor.
Why I use it as a second opinion
Image models have different instincts. The same request gives you a different composition, a different reading of “clean” or “warm”, different text placement. Running one prompt through two good models is a quick way to see what’s possible, and to notice what you actually want. GPT-Image-2.5 is my first choice; Nano Banana 2.1 is the one I compare against.
It’s also cheap: about 3 cents for a 1K image through the API, roughly half of what Nano Banana 2 cost. In the Gemini app it comes with your plan. More on how I use both in the Nano Banana tool review and the guide From an Idea to an Image Worth Using.
The Verdict
Best for: A second take on anything you'd make with GPT-Image: layouts, infographics, product shots, edits.
Pros
- Good at a wide range of image jobs, from layouts and infographics to photos and edits
- Better text rendering and character consistency over several turns than version 2
- Up to 14 reference images per prompt
- About half of Nano Banana 2's price per image through the API
Cons
- Behind GPT-Image-2.5 as a first choice in my use
Specs
- Pricing About $0.034 per image at 1K, $0.050 at 2K, $0.113 at 4K ($30/M image output tokens)
- Cost Tier budget
- ⚡Speed Tier fast
- License Proprietary
