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Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 Lite vs. HiDream-O1-Image

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.

10

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 HiDream-O1-Image
AttributeNano Banana 2 LiteHiDream-O1-Image
ProviderGoogleHiDream
ReleasedJune 2026May 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, local
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published8 billion
Maximum output1K2,048 × 2,048 pixels
Arena configurationGemini 3.1 Flash Lite ImageNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$33.6 per 1,000 imagesNo comparable API price
Editing price$33.6 per 1,000 images$10 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
Nano Banana 2 LiteHiDream-O1-Image
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6
HiDream-O1-Image$10Lower price

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.

10 shared result series
Nano Banana 2 LiteHiDream-O1-Image
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,292 EloHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,178 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,200 EloNo clear arena lead
HiDream-O1-Image1,195 Elo
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,225.619 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.629 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.865 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.842 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,128.773 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,118.314 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,111.024 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,107.311 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
HiDream-O1-Image1,135.627 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 Lite and HiDream-O1-Image
BenchmarkNano Banana 2 LiteHiDream-O1-ImageSource
Text to Image Arena
1,292 EloHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,652 ratings
1,178 Elo
Rank 49, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 4,032 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,200 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 8,704 ratings
1,195 Elo
Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 6,392 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
1,122.629 arena points
Rank 41, 95% confidence interval: ±10.3, 3,159 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
1,122.865 arena points
Rank 41, 95% confidence interval: ±8.57, 4,910 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
1,122.842 arena points
Rank 38, 95% confidence interval: ±6.4, 13,113 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
1,128.773 arena points
Rank 39, 95% confidence interval: ±6.2, 12,596 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
1,118.314 arena points
Rank 40, 95% confidence interval: ±4.3, 34,179 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
1,111.024 arena points
Rank 50, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 13,889 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
1,107.311 arena points
Rank 50, 95% confidence interval: ±7.76, 7,047 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
1,135.627 arena points
Rank 37, 95% confidence interval: ±6.45, 11,302 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
HiDream-O1-Image, Character and detail
HiDream-O1-Image
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
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1735022440, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 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

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 9ac2cbe23ee6a63b0daacd665a40c3471c52c52fd6ad23e46d3027bb95f8c880

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Infographic
Nano Banana 2 Lite
HiDream-O1-Image, Infographic
HiDream-O1-Image
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
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1456348218, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 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

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 258eece8b53e4df0c990b78dee2e02ec57569b1c823c3feff2ab54671240d66f

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Product photography
Nano Banana 2 Lite
HiDream-O1-Image, Product photography
HiDream-O1-Image
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
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=124666889, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 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

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 5a9cd3c59556412e4de93a3ef5c4121ec12b6cc02730cad527619c2d8a889783

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2 Lite
HiDream-O1-Image, Typography and layout
HiDream-O1-Image
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
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=2131088503, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 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

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 418a9b974b87b751ad2e4e98cdf6b8d7e2f8f352aed63d25be84c02377f310d1

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

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.

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