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Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 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 and FLUX.2 Max
AttributeNano Banana 2FLUX.2 Max
ProviderGoogleBlack Forest Labs
ReleasedFebruary 2026December 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleStable API since May 28, 2026. The arena entry names the earlier preview configuration Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K4 Megapixel
Arena configurationGemini 3.1 Flash Image PreviewMax
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 sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model 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$67Lower price
FLUX.2 Max$70
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2$67Lower 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 2FLUX.2 Max
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,323 EloHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,232 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,249 EloHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,201 Elo
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,258.705 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 21,250.508 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 21,266.735 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 21,272.164 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 21,263.056 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 21,269.812 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 21,266.805 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 21,294.784 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 21,364.764 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 21,385.051 arena pointsHigher arena score
FLUX.2 Max1,261.798 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and FLUX.2 Max
BenchmarkNano Banana 2FLUX.2 MaxSource
Text to Image Arena
1,323 EloHigher arena score
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,767 ratings
1,232 Elo
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,235 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,249 EloHigher arena score
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 12,506 ratings
1,201 Elo
Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 9,965 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,258.705 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±11.62, 2,907 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
1,250.508 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.92, 4,154 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
1,266.735 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.6, 10,445 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
1,272.164 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±7.4, 10,316 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
1,263.056 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±5.24, 27,910 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
1,269.812 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.28, 11,229 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
1,266.805 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9.15, 5,554 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
1,294.784 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.73, 9,489 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
1,364.764 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±4.86, 37,577 ratings
1,249.954 arena points
Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.34, 136,078 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,385.051 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.07, 102,657 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, Character and detail
Nano Banana 2
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. 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

Nano Banana 2, Infographic
Nano Banana 2
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. 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, 12:24 PM. Source

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

Nano Banana 2, Product photography
Nano Banana 2
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. 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: 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

Nano Banana 2, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2
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. 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.