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AI image model comparison

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana

Side by side comparison of Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana on image quality, cost per image, editing features, and more.

Nano Banana 2.1 (Gemini Nano Banana 2.1) is Google's image generation and editing model on the Flash tier, succeeding Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro.

Per image
Not available
Output / 1M
$30
Image Elo
Not available

Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, a.k.a. "Nano Banana," is now generally available. It is a state of the art image generation model with contextual understanding.

Per image
$0.039
Output / 1M
$30
Image Elo
1183

Comparing chat or coding models? Compare text models

At a glance

Quick verdict

Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.

Cheaper per image

Not available

Only one lists a per-image price

Better image quality

Not available

Not enough arena data

Better at editing

Not available

Not enough arena data

Newer release

google logo

Nano Banana 2.1

Released October 6, 2026

Quality

Image quality rankings

Elo ratings from Design Arena, where people vote between two anonymous images made from the same prompt. Higher is better.

Image generation

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana#10 · 55.6% wins1183

Image editing

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano BananaNot available

Graphic design

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana#10 · 56.9% wins1167

Logos

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana#11 · 51.4% wins1169

Pricing

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana price per image

What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2.1google logoNano Banana
Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024)Not available$0.039
Image outputPer 1M image tokens$30$30
Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image usesNot available1,290
Prompt textPer 1M input tokens$1.50$0.30
Reference imagesPer 1M input image tokens$1.50$0.30

What it costs in practice

Estimated totals at standard resolution.

Single image

1 image

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana$0.039

Social media batch

50 images

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana$1.93

Product catalog

1,000 images

google logoNano Banana 2.1Not available
google logoNano Banana$38.70

Specs

Inputs, outputs, and limits

What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2.1google logoNano Banana
AcceptsImage, TextImage, Text
ProducesImage, TextImage, Text
Max prompt lengthText plus reference images66K tokens33K tokens
Reasoning stepOptionalNo
Release dateOctober 6, 2026October 7, 2025

Features

Supported features

Creative controls available for each model.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2.1google logoNano Banana
Image editingAccepts reference or source imagesSupportedSupported
Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it madeSupportedSupported
Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning stepSupportedNot supported
Reproducible seedsSame seed, same imageSupportedSupported
Temperature controlTrade consistency for varietySupportedSupported

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana edit existing images?

Yes. Both accept reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, different lighting, or added text.

Can I use Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana at the same time?

Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana results side by side and keep the one you like.

google logogoogle logo

Why choose? Generate with both.

Send one prompt to Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.

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