- Google released Nano Banana 2.1 on Oct. 6, rolling it out across the Gemini app, Search’s AI Mode, Google Ads, and developer tools.
- Google’s internal tests show it outperforming prior versions, with an infographic factuality score of 0.521 versus 0.179, but independent verification was unavailable at launch.
- Developer pricing for the new model is roughly half of its predecessor, starting at $0.0336 for a standard 1K image.
Google on Tuesday released Nano Banana 2.1, the newest version of its AI model for generating and editing images from text prompts. The update is rolling out in the Gemini app, Google Search’s AI Mode, Google Ads, and developer tools including AI Studio, Flow, and Stitch.
The original Nano Banana was a major hit for the company, helping Gemini reach the top spot on both major app stores in September 2025. During that period, Alphabet’s market value also surpassed the $3 trillion mark.
Version 2, released in February, added the ability to check Google Search before drawing real-world subjects. This new iteration focuses on three key upgrades: better visual design, sharper mask-based editing, and improved subject consistency across multiple edits.
According to Google’s tests, Nano Banana 2.1 scored 1,050 ELO points in text-to-image preference tests, compared to 990 for Nano Banana 2 and 935 for Nano Banana Pro. The model can handle up to 14 reference images simultaneously and outputs up to 4K resolution in formats as wide as 8:1.
Developers can adjust how long the model processes before drawing and allow it to ground results in Google Search and Image Search. Through Google’s developer API, a standard 1K image costs $0.0336, about half of Nano Banana 2’s $0.067.
A 4K image runs $0.0756, down from $0.151 for the previous version, and batch jobs receive an additional 50% discount. At the standard 1K price, a thousand images now cost approximately $33.60 through the API, a significant reduction from $67, making the model both powerful and cost-efficient.
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