Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. FLUX.2 Max

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: 44
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

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 and FLUX.2 Max
Attribute	Nano Banana 2	FLUX.2 Max
Provider	Google	Black Forest Labs
Released	February 2026	December 2025
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	Stable API since May 28, 2026. The arena entry names the earlier preview configuration Status source	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	4K	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	Gemini 3.1 Flash Image Preview	Max
Text-to-image price	$67 per 1,000 images	$70 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$67 per 1,000 images	$140 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Nano Banana 2FLUX.2 Max

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

Nano Banana 2$67

FLUX.2 Max$70

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

Nano Banana 2$67

FLUX.2 Max$140

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is 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. This pair also shares 28 results from published research benchmarks.

Nano Banana 2FLUX.2 Max

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 286.4 / 100

FLUX.2 Max85.2 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 229.6 / 100

FLUX.2 Max56.8 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 218.5 / 100

FLUX.2 Max80.3 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 249.4 / 100

FLUX.2 Max29.6 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and FLUX.2 Max
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	FLUX.2 Max
GenExam Mathematics, strict	Higher benchmark score56.3 %	6.6 %
GenExam Physics, strict	Higher benchmark score74.3 %	8.8 %
GenExam Chemistry, strict	Higher benchmark score52.5 %	6.8 %
GenExam Biology, strict	Higher benchmark score66 %	11.6 %
GenExam Geography, strict	Higher benchmark score69.7 %	15.2 %
GenExam Computer science, strict	Higher benchmark score56.9 %	8.8 %
GenExam Engineering, strict	Higher benchmark score67.6 %	10.8 %
GenExam Economics, strict	Higher benchmark score63.6 %	2.6 %
GenExam Music, strict	Higher benchmark score50.8 %	6.2 %
GenExam History, strict	Higher benchmark score82.9 %	7.3 %
GenExam overall, strict	Higher benchmark score64.1 %	8.5 %
GenExam Mathematics, relaxed	Higher benchmark score87.8 %	49.1 %
GenExam Physics, relaxed	Higher benchmark score95.7 %	63.2 %
GenExam Chemistry, relaxed	Higher benchmark score90 %	54 %
GenExam Biology, relaxed	Higher benchmark score95.2 %	74.5 %
GenExam Geography, relaxed	Higher benchmark score94.8 %	76.3 %
GenExam Computer science, relaxed	Higher benchmark score88.8 %	56.5 %
GenExam Engineering, relaxed	Higher benchmark score95.8 %	68.9 %
GenExam Economics, relaxed	Higher benchmark score94.2 %	61.5 %
GenExam Music, relaxed	Higher benchmark score86.9 %	47 %
GenExam History, relaxed	Higher benchmark score97.3 %	68 %
GenExam overall, relaxed	Higher benchmark score92.6 %	61.9 %
GRADE reasoning	Higher benchmark score72.6 / 100	47.8 / 100
GRADE consistency	Higher benchmark score86.4 / 100	67.2 / 100
GRADE readability	Higher benchmark score95.9 / 100	68.6 / 100
GRADE accuracy	Higher benchmark score39.6 / 100	11.9 / 100
ContraLabs typography, first-place wins	Higher benchmark score30 %	15.5 %
ContraLabs client-work suitability	Higher benchmark score2.84 / 5	2.49 / 5
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score86.4 / 100 Mean rank: 4.67 (8 / 2 / 4) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2	85.2 / 100 Mean rank: 5 (4 / 4 / 7) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	29.6 / 100 Mean rank: 20 (24 / 17 / 19) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1 / 2	Higher blind-rank score56.8 / 100 Mean rank: 12.67 (14 / 11 / 13) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	18.5 / 100 Mean rank: 23 (24 / 18 / 27) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 0.67 / 2 Environment: 0.67 / 2	Higher blind-rank score80.3 / 100 Mean rank: 6.33 (8 / 5 / 6) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1.33 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score49.4 / 100 Mean rank: 14.67 (16 / 14 / 14) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1 / 2	29.6 / 100 Mean rank: 20 (22 / 18 / 20) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.33 / 2 Labels: 1 / 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 2FLUX.2 Max

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

Nano Banana 21,321 Elo

FLUX.2 Max1,226 Elo

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

Nano Banana 21,250 Elo

FLUX.2 Max1,201 Elo

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

Nano Banana 21,258.705

FLUX.2 Max1,161.008

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

Nano Banana 21,250.508

FLUX.2 Max1,170.168

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

Nano Banana 21,266.735

FLUX.2 Max1,169.225

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

Nano Banana 21,272.164

FLUX.2 Max1,164.635

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

Nano Banana 21,263.056

FLUX.2 Max1,161.939

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

Nano Banana 21,269.812

FLUX.2 Max1,160.771

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

Nano Banana 21,266.805

FLUX.2 Max1,156.957

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

Nano Banana 21,294.784

FLUX.2 Max1,167.156

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

Nano Banana 21,364.764

FLUX.2 Max1,249.954

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

Nano Banana 21,386.267

FLUX.2 Max1,261.756

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and FLUX.2 Max
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	FLUX.2 Max	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,321 Elo Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 15,335 ratings	1,226 Elo Rank 18, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,112 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,250 Elo Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 12,690 ratings	1,201 Elo Rank 20, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,113 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,258.705 Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±11.62, 2,907 ratings	1,161.008 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,589 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,250.508 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.92, 4,154 ratings	1,170.168 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,564 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,266.735 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.6, 10,445 ratings	1,169.225 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.36, 42,916 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,272.164 Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±7.4, 10,316 ratings	1,164.635 Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.03, 44,254 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,263.056 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±5.24, 27,910 ratings	1,161.939 Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,464 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,269.812 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.28, 11,229 ratings	1,160.771 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 50,664 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,266.805 Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9.15, 5,554 ratings	1,156.957 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±6.03, 26,790 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,294.784 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.73, 9,489 ratings	1,167.156 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.27, 40,386 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,364.764 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±4.86, 37,577 ratings	1,249.954 Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.34, 136,078 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,386.267 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±3.71, 117,943 ratings	1,261.756 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±3.18, 353,119 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
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

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. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:15 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, image SHA 256: 5d3a70ed3fe3328484725565d9c91fb25fc7f745bd66872dae432444493a83de

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 406e70dda817fa504900359d5c374ebb06fc8ea29f34c8a15f630e9a10489aec

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 0267e820f1d771485d5a0e44b93a6b996c2fb12f6547a199eb3c22d4cf8e21f3

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, image SHA 256: 66123dd4e8cd5d22ecdca9cca8e4c5853a8046370aa4861ffee807a8c122c769

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 10e973caab6f314ec731d9d377b19f5d51f279e9e2962133c49682bfbba3fe3d

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 46911d2cf3eb49e0c0439477c802fc24910b2658b19d562a327af2e1b3f3faf1

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, image SHA 256: 509871921c450f6f07ec28f91a380992db1b3017108fd5928fe0aa9670a1ecdc

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 631ce921c9772c7c2109900c8662471564a871def8e70f50ce29ce83ab71daab

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 3c90a7839c60af903a8abb6d7b2b4af4df1320aabffcc84361491964161bcf9e

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

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. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 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, image SHA 256: 06ae79c07d1604d3da3bbfa80bac73ac15c88af5cb8c013faaf5c9ea93092305

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 6f1909c093d741b97bc2b4fe76e889009776dbe8635d2a14dbedd89bb4cae8fb

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.

More matchups

Compare Nano Banana 2 and FLUX.2 Max with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. FLUX.2 Max

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