AI model by Google
Nano Banana (Gemini image) for business
Google's Gemini-native image generation and editing models, known as Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro, which replace Imagen in the Gemini API.
- Reviewed on September 24, 2026
Capability tiersRelative, not benchmarks
Key facts about Nano Banana (Gemini image)
- Model ID at review
- gemini-3.1-flash-image, gemini-3-pro-image
- Provider
- Main category
- Image and video
- Open weights
- No, available as a hosted service
- Last reviewed
- September 24, 2026
Fit
Where it fits and where it does not
Good at
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Generating images from text through the Gemini API.
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Editing images with instructions.
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Fast image drafts with the Flash versions.
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Higher quality with the Pro version.
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Combining image generation with other Gemini features.
Not the right choice for
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Video, which needs Veo.
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Final brand assets without review.
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Images of real people without consent.
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Teams that need self-hosted image models.
Use cases
Business use cases we would use it for
Product scenes
Bulk edits
Our notes
When we would choose it
Nano Banana is the name Google uses for its Gemini-native image models. At review time, the Gemini API lists gemini-3.1-flash-image as Nano Banana 2, gemini-3-pro-image as Nano Banana Pro and a lower-cost gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image. They generate and edit images from text and image input.
These models replace Imagen in the Gemini API. Google's Imagen page states that the Imagen models are shut down, with the last shutdown in August 2026. Any workflow still calling Imagen needs to move.
For business use, image generation works best inside a controlled process: clear briefs, brand references, several generated options and a person who approves the final choice. We add a record of prompts and outputs so you can answer questions later about where an image came from.
For comparison, OpenAI GPT Image, FLUX and Stable Diffusion offer different quality, licensing and hosting options. For video, see Veo. See social media automation.
Because the image models live inside the Gemini API, they fit neatly into workflows that already use Gemini for text. One provider, one set of credentials and one billing account can cover both the copy and the visuals, which keeps the system simpler to run.
Before you commit
Things to check before you commit
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Imagen shutdown
Imagen models are shut down in the Gemini API. Move any Imagen workflow.
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Usage terms
Read Google usage policies for commercial and restricted uses.
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Review
Have a person approve images before publication.
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Tier choice
Flash image models cost less than Pro. Test both on your prompts.
Alternatives
Models to compare it with
GPT Image 2.5
OpenAI's current image generation and editing models: Sunburst for the highest quality and Flare for fast everyday images.
Veo 3.1
Google's video generation model, creating short video with native audio from text and images. Available as a preview, with fast and lite versions.
FLUX.2
Black Forest Labs' FLUX.2 image models: API-only Pro, Flex and Max versions, plus open-weight Dev and Klein versions under different licenses.
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View all mcp serversGlossary terms
View all glossary terms- Multimodal model A multimodal model is an AI model that can take in more than one kind of input, such as text with images, audio or video.
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- Large language model A large language model, or LLM, is an AI model trained on vast amounts of text that can understand and generate language, and often images and code.
- Prompt A prompt is the instruction and context you give an AI model to get the output you want.
- Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence is the broad field of building software that performs tasks that normally need human judgment, such as understanding language or images.
- Fine-tuning Fine-tuning is further training an existing AI model on your own examples so it learns a specific style, format or task.
FAQ
Questions people ask us
Have a question that is not here? Ask us directly.
It is the name for Google's Gemini-native image generation and editing models, such as Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro.
Google states that Imagen models are shut down in the Gemini API. Nano Banana models replace them.
Yes. It accepts image input and can edit from instructions.