# Google's new image model Nano Banana 2.1 generates better images for less money

> Source: <https://the-decoder.com/googles-new-image-model-nano-banana-2-1-generates-better-images-for-less-money/>
> Published: 2026-10-06 19:29:42+00:00

# Google's new image model Nano Banana 2.1 generates better images for less money

**Google has released Nano Banana 2.1, a new model for image generation and editing.**

It replaces [Nano Banana 2](https://the-decoder.com/googles-nano-banana-2-brings-pro-level-image-generation-to-flash-speeds-at-up-to-40-lower-api-cost/), released in February 2026, and [Google says](https://x.com/Google/status/2107501211532382687) it improves on previous versions "across the board." Nano Banana Pro likely remains Google's best image model, but it uses the most recent Pro model, 3.1, [while 2.1 uses Gemini 3.6 Flash](https://deepmind.google/models/model-cards/nano-banana-2-1/). The next major gain in image quality could come with Google's announced Pro model, [Gemini 4 Argon](https://the-decoder.com/google-gemini-4-argon-closes-the-gap-with-openai-and-anthropic-but-doesnt-take-a-clear-lead/).

Google is also [cutting prices roughly in half](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing#gemini-3.1-flash-image) compared with Nano Banana 2. A 1K image costs 3.36 cents, down from 6.70 cents, while a 4K image drops from 15.10 to 7.56 cents. Nano Banana Pro costs considerably more at 13.40 cents per 1K image.

| Model | 0.5K | 1K | 2K | 4K | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2.1 | - | 3.36 | 5.04 | 7.56 | 
| Nano Banana 2 / Gemini 3.1 Flash Image | 4.50 | 6.70 | 10.10 | 15.10 | 
| Nano Banana 2 Lite / Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image | - | 3.36 | - | - | 
| Nano Banana Pro / Gemini 3 Pro Image | - | 13.40 | 13.40 | 24.00 | 
| Nano Banana / Gemini 2.5 Flash Image | - | 3.90 | - | - | 

[According to Google](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/image-generation?hl=en), version 2.1 improves visual quality, text rendering, character consistency across conversation turns, wide panoramas, and infographics. It can process up to 14 reference images at once, keeping up to four characters and ten objects consistent. The model also connects to Google Search and offers minimal, medium, and high thinking levels that affect image quality.

Although 2.1 sometimes beats Pro by a wide margin in benchmarks, Nano Banana 2 also matched it in those tests. In practice, Nano Banana Pro often still produces noticeably better images. [Google describes 2.1](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1) as "the more efficient counterpart" to Pro.

| Benchmark | Nano Banana 2.1 (Thinking) | Nano Banana 2.1 (No Thinking) | Gemini 3.1 Flash Image | Gemini 3 Pro Image | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Text-to-Image** |  |  |  |  | 
| Overall Preference | 1050 ± 14 | 1015 ± 13 | 990 ± 7 | 935 ± 8 | 
| Infographic Design | 1048 ± 17 | 1001 ± 17 | 961 ± 12 | 912 ± 12 | 
| Infographic Accuracy | 0.521 | 0.328 | 0.179 | 0.265 | 
| **Editing** |  |  |  |  | 
| General Editing | 1026 ± 12 | 980 ± 15 | 938 ± 11 | 939 ± 10 | 
| Single-Character Consistency | 1028 ± 14 | 1021 ± 14 | 981 ± 10 | 991 ± 9 | 
| Multi-Character Consistency | 1106 ± 14 | 1068 ± 14 | 978 ± 10 | 1011 ± 10 | 
| Mask/Ink-Based Editing | 1049 ± 15 | 1042 ± 16 | 965 ± 12 | 927 ± 12 | 
| Product Consistency | 1024 ± 18 | 981 ± 18 | 955 ± 22 | 965 ± 14 | 
| Stylization | 1062 ± 20 | 1036 ± 17 | 991 ± 12 | 990 ± 12 | 
| Multi-Reference Editing | 1066 ± 22 | 1041 ± 20 | 988 ± 13 | 989 ± 12 | 

The model runs at Flash-tier speed, supports 1K, 2K, and 4K resolutions, and is already rolling out across Google's products. These include the Gemini app, AI Mode in Google Search, Google AI Studio, Flow by Google, Stitch by Google, Google Ads, and the Gemini Enterprise Platform.

More details are available in the [model card](https://deepmind.google/models/model-cards/nano-banana-2-1/). Google will shut down the [previous model](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/deprecations), "gemini-3.1-flash-image," on October 29, 2026.

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