Google Launches Nano Banana 2 Lite for Faster, Affordable AI Image Generation

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 01-Jul-2026 12:00 PM

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​Google has introduced Nano Banana 2 Lite, its fastest and most affordable AI image generation model to date. The new model targets developers who need to create large volumes of AI-generated images quickly and cost-effectively. Nano Banana 2 Lite can produce images from text prompts in as little as four seconds, according to Google.

Key Highlights

• Google launches Nano Banana 2 Lite for rapid AI image generation at four seconds per image.
• Nano Banana 2 Lite costs $0.034 per 1K-resolution image for high-volume, cost-sensitive workloads.
• Gemini Omni Flash now available for public preview, enabling video generation and conversational editing.
• Omni Flash supports multimodal referencing and costs $0.10 per second of generated video.

Key Features of Nano Banana 2 Lite

Nano Banana 2 Lite, also known as gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image, is designed for high-speed creative workflows. It is suitable for rapid prototyping, brainstorming visual ideas, and generating large batches of images. Google recommends this model as a replacement for the original Nano Banana model, gemini-2.5-flash-image.

The model’s main advantage is speed. Google states that Nano Banana 2 Lite can generate text-to-image outputs in about four seconds. This allows developers to iterate faster during creative projects. The model is priced at $0.034 per 1K-resolution image, making it the most cost-efficient option in the Nano Banana lineup for large-scale or budget-sensitive workloads.

Despite its focus on speed, Nano Banana 2 Lite maintains reliable prompt adherence, consistent characters across images, and readable text. These are areas where AI image generators have often faced challenges.

Position in Google's AI Image Portfolio

Google has clarified how Nano Banana 2 Lite fits within its broader AI image generation offerings. Nano Banana 2 Lite focuses on ultra-fast, high-volume image creation. Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) remains the all-rounder, balancing image quality, speed, and pricing for general use. At the top end, Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) is designed for professional workloads that require advanced reasoning, precision, and creative control, even if image generation takes longer.

Google has made Nano Banana 2 Lite available through Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. The company is also rolling out the model across its consumer services, including AI Mode in Search, the Gemini app, NotebookLM, Google Photos, Google Flow, Stitch, and Google Ads.

Expansion of Gemini Omni Flash

Alongside Nano Banana 2 Lite, Google has expanded access to Gemini Omni Flash. This multimodal AI model, first revealed at Google I/O, is now available to developers in public preview via Google AI Studio and the Gemini API. Gemini Omni Flash enables high-quality video generation and conversational editing using text, images, and video as inputs.

Omni Flash allows users to refine videos with natural language prompts and supports multimodal referencing. Creators can combine text, images, and videos to guide AI-generated results more accurately. The model costs $0.10 per second of generated video, matching the price of Veo 3.1 Fast.

Currently, Omni Flash can generate videos up to 10 seconds long. Google plans to support longer videos in future updates. Features such as audio reference uploads, scene extension, and reliable processing of short video references are still in development.

Google says developers can use Nano Banana 2 Lite to generate images and then animate them into short videos with Gemini Omni Flash, supporting end-to-end AI creative workflows.