Key facts
- Google DeepMind has launched Nano Banana 2 Lite, a new AI image generation model.
- The model is part of the Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image family.
- Nano Banana 2 Lite generates images in approximately 4 seconds.
- The API cost is $0.034 per 1,000 images.
- Limitations include potential issues with text rendering and character consistency.
Google DeepMind has launched Nano Banana 2 Lite, a new AI image generation model designed to balance quality, speed, and cost-effectiveness. This model, technically Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image, is optimized for high-volume workflows and rapid idea exploration, generating images in approximately 4 seconds, a significant improvement over the standard Nano Banana's 20-second generation time. Google claims the model is also more affordable, with API access costing $0.034 per 1,000 images, and input and output tokens priced at $0.25 per 1 million and $1.50 per 1 million, respectively. These rates are half those of the standard Nano Banana model. However, Google acknowledges limitations, including potential difficulties with rendering small text, inaccuracies in infographics, and inconsistent character representation across multiple image generations. Nano Banana 2 Lite is now available via Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and Google’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, serving as a replacement for the company's legacy model.