Google releases Nano Banana 2.1 image model, halving output prices
Google released Nano Banana 2.1, an image generation and editing model built on Gemini 3.6 Flash, adding mask-based local editing and stronger subject consistency — up to 14 reference images, keeping four characters and ten objects consistent — plus Google Search grounding and minimal/medium/high thinking levels. Pricing is roughly halved versus Nano Banana 2: a 1K image drops from 6.70 to 3.36 cents and a 4K image from 15.10 to 7.56 cents, while input and text/thinking output prices rise. It is available now in AI Studio (gemini-nano-banana-2.1), the Gemini app, Search AI Mode, Flow and other surfaces, and the Nano Banana 2 API retires on October 29. The Decoder notes 2.1 beats Nano Banana Pro on some benchmarks, but Pro often still produces better images in practice.
Why it matters: Halving output prices while improving on the previous version keeps cost-per-image competition in image generation APIs moving.
References 36氪 人工智能 · DoNews · Google AI Studio · The Decoder
Google AI Studio
introducing @NanoBanana 2.1 🍌 our latest image generation model outperforms our previous models across the board: - better visual design - mask-based editing - subject consistency - more natural-looking images try it out today in ai.studio
How we got here
- Transformers v5.19.0 adds EmbeddingGemma 2 supportTransformers Releases · Google
- AI Hardware Is Redefining What Counts as RecordingThe Verge AI · Google
- Whistleblowers Say AI Researchers Are Checking Work Less OftenThe Information · Google DeepMind
- Gamma 5 launches rebuilt presentation platform to strip the 'AI smell' from slidesSiliconANGLE AI · Google
- Why People Hate AI but Still Can’t Get Enough of ItMIT科技评论中文 · Google DeepMind
- Kevin Roose on documenting AI’s recent historyWIRED AI · Google