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Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 Lite vs. FLUX.2 Max

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

12

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

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 Max
AttributeNano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 Max
ProviderGoogleBlack Forest Labs
ReleasedJune 2026December 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output1K4 Megapixel
Arena configurationGemini 3.1 Flash Lite ImageMax
Text-to-image price$33.6 per 1,000 images$70 per 1,000 images
Editing price$33.6 per 1,000 images$140 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
Nano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 Max
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6Lower price
FLUX.2 Max$70
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6Lower price
FLUX.2 Max$140

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 Max
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,292 EloHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,232 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,200 Elo
FLUX.2 Max1,201 EloNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,225.619 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,161.008 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,256.202 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,170.168 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,258.29 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,169.225 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.568 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,164.635 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.916 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,161.939 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,259.798 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,160.771 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,248.247 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,156.957 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,275.354 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,167.156 arena points
Arena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,285.821 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,249.954 arena points
Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,313.956 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,261.798 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 Lite and FLUX.2 Max
BenchmarkNano Banana 2 LiteFLUX.2 MaxSource
Text to Image Arena
1,292 EloHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,652 ratings
1,232 Elo
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,235 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,200 Elo
Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 8,704 ratings
1,201 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 9,965 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,225.619 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±14.48, 1,580 ratings
1,161.008 arena points
Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,589 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,256.202 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±12.19, 2,304 ratings
1,170.168 arena points
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,564 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,258.29 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8.66, 6,273 ratings
1,169.225 arena points
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.36, 42,916 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,250.568 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±8.73, 5,912 ratings
1,164.635 arena points
Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.03, 44,254 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,250.916 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±6.18, 16,419 ratings
1,161.939 arena points
Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,464 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,259.798 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±8.54, 6,768 ratings
1,160.771 arena points
Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 50,664 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,248.247 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±10.65, 3,364 ratings
1,156.957 arena points
Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±6.03, 26,790 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,275.354 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.1, 5,421 ratings
1,167.156 arena points
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.27, 40,386 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Multi-image editing
1,285.821 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±4.86, 21,484 ratings
1,249.954 arena points
Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.34, 136,078 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,313.956 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±4.91, 59,331 ratings
1,261.798 arena points
Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±3.19, 353,111 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

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
Nano Banana 2 Lite
FLUX.2 Max, Character and detail
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 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 Max, image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 0267e820f1d771485d5a0e44b93a6b996c2fb12f6547a199eb3c22d4cf8e21f3

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Infographic
Nano Banana 2 Lite
FLUX.2 Max, Infographic
FLUX.2 Max
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.

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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source

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 Max, image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 46911d2cf3eb49e0c0439477c802fc24910b2658b19d562a327af2e1b3f3faf1

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Product photography
Nano Banana 2 Lite
FLUX.2 Max, Product photography
FLUX.2 Max
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.

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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source

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 Max, image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 3c90a7839c60af903a8abb6d7b2b4af4df1320aabffcc84361491964161bcf9e

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2 Lite
FLUX.2 Max, Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 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 Max, image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 10a63b4db9e0b1529ab3d891fdb504c5716d30aff6a5cc7bd0312790105eba22

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.