Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 Lite vs. FLUX.2 Flex

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series: 16
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-09-22

First image modelSecond image model

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for Nano Banana 2 Lite and FLUX.2 Flex
Attribute	Nano Banana 2 Lite	FLUX.2 Flex
Provider	Google	Black Forest Labs
Released	June 2026	November 2025
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	1K	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image	Flex
Text-to-image price	$33.6 per 1,000 images	$60 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$33.6 per 1,000 images	$120 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-09-24

Nano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 Flex

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6

FLUX.2 Flex$60

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6

FLUX.2 Flex$120

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Both checkpoints completed the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, 30 archived first outputs are ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

Nano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 Flex

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 2 Lite78.2 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex66.7 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 2 Lite65.5 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex52.9 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 2 Lite11.5 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex54 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 2 Lite57.5 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex24.1 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 Lite and FLUX.2 Flex
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2 Lite	FLUX.2 Flex
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score78.2 / 100 Mean rank: 7.33 (5 / 6 / 11) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.67 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2	66.7 / 100 Mean rank: 10.67 (17 / 12 / 3) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.67 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score65.5 / 100 Mean rank: 11 (8 / 17 / 8) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.67 / 2 Time: 1.67 / 2 Watch details: 1.67 / 2 Photography: 1.67 / 2 Exclusions: 1.67 / 2	52.9 / 100 Mean rank: 14.67 (14 / 16 / 14) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.67 / 2 Time: 1.67 / 2 Watch details: 1.67 / 2 Photography: 1.67 / 2 Exclusions: 1.67 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	11.5 / 100 Mean rank: 26.67 (30 / 30 / 20) Five rubric scores Scene: 1 / 2 Wardrobe: 1 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2	Higher blind-rank score54 / 100 Mean rank: 14.33 (16 / 20 / 7) Five rubric scores Scene: 1 / 2 Wardrobe: 1 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score57.5 / 100 Mean rank: 13.33 (15 / 13 / 12) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.33 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1.33 / 2 Clarity: 1.33 / 2	24.1 / 100 Mean rank: 23 (22 / 24 / 23) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.33 / 2 Labels: 0.67 / 2 Diagram: 1 / 2 Clarity: 0.67 / 2
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

12 shared result series

Nano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 Flex

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,092 Elo

FLUX.2 Flex1,026 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,042 Elo

FLUX.2 Flex1,006 Elo

LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,226.293

FLUX.2 Flex1,172.339

LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,255.576

FLUX.2 Flex1,155.555

LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,257.93

FLUX.2 Flex1,162.266

LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.509

FLUX.2 Flex1,173.172

LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.402

FLUX.2 Flex1,156.503

LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,260.141

FLUX.2 Flex1,146.875

LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,247.68

FLUX.2 Flex1,144.629

LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,275.491

FLUX.2 Flex1,171.992

LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,289.38

FLUX.2 Flex1,234.148

LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,314.296

FLUX.2 Flex1,225.241

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 Lite and FLUX.2 Flex
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2 Lite	FLUX.2 Flex	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,092 Elo Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 15,812 ratings	1,026 Elo Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 5,931 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,042 Elo Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 5,732 ratings	1,006 Elo Rank 38, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 5,601 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,226.293 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±14.58, 1,568 ratings	1,172.339 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.04, 15,061 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,255.576 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±12.19, 2,303 ratings	1,155.555 Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±6.39, 21,767 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,257.93 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8.68, 6,253 ratings	1,162.266 Rank 29, 95% confidence interval: ±5.16, 55,805 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,250.509 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±8.73, 5,899 ratings	1,173.172 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.96, 55,214 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,250.402 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.19, 16,371 ratings	1,156.503 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±3.43, 149,288 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,260.141 Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±8.56, 6,745 ratings	1,146.875 Rank 36, 95% confidence interval: ±4.88, 63,739 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,247.68 Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±10.67, 3,352 ratings	1,144.629 Rank 37, 95% confidence interval: ±5.83, 33,656 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,275.491 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±9.1, 5,412 ratings	1,171.992 Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.15, 49,929 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,289.38 Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±5.21, 26,348 ratings	1,234.148 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.35, 125,558 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,314.296 Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.92, 59,280 ratings	1,225.241 Rank 38, 95% confidence interval: ±3.18, 415,750 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Character and detail

Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 6c7d17b2a84129cbeba7d52c8de703773e9296562d9d603688256d2717e65a0c

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: c8a36467199e361b900613c1db90cb99b0f552ddb7f7c7f2dd4aeb51ddb5ee1a

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: fe5b22589e6505017dc44f4729b1bb60b15820ba3673354d03a69c8b82831953

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 11d8b5ddf15becefa6e4e32fca21729ff7d57f561a10e3a2b4b6f5c7a0aed6ef

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 0e6096a9f082a718e45fcf3733bf3ffc92cb6c9db66b8c2c73d6c764ea0b15c8

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 11d4ec056332340dc822c82021ef10c6a6aa92de6e44dc931a90b7cbb6f14146

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 30d9b09b92917eca84675448260a083ad368d9ea25376dabccac0f526f3a3ab7

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: cab5c6b0ea5c96eb96b640e581e0fe296421c7fffec3aad04f9394c978814ca1

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 1c864c5e5d7f1e7008f15466fd0786f801ae94b17939b4f10de9a61c27766a59

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Typography and layout

Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 9fab80fe1ad268b9ceceb4ef61ef1dd0e965dd3f28d377af7cf9cf201fdf47fa

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 942506d572642220473dd80be80ff16950d6d11f31fab2b5c3145f3f2a9b2513

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: a0aa716f2a302bdfa59820d2e2c27cc56f730e8e2e4d5b64223d29a6979e1475

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

More matchups

Compare Nano Banana 2 Lite and FLUX.2 Flex with other important image models under the same evidence rules. Each page shows only exact shared measurements and samples.

View the complete image model comparison

Nano Banana 2 Lite vs. FLUX.2 Flex

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons