Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. Grok Imagine Image Quality

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: 14
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 Grok Imagine Image Quality
Attribute	Nano Banana 2	Grok Imagine Image Quality
Provider	Google	xAI
Released	February 2026	April 2026
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	2K
Arena configuration	Gemini 3.1 Flash Image Preview	Quality
Text-to-image price	$67 per 1,000 images	$50 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$67 per 1,000 images	$50 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Nano Banana 2Grok Imagine Image Quality

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

Nano Banana 2$67

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50

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

Nano Banana 2$67

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50

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. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

Nano Banana 2Grok Imagine Image Quality

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

Nano Banana 286.4 / 100

Grok Imagine Image Quality65.4 / 100

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

Nano Banana 229.6 / 100

Grok Imagine Image Quality4.9 / 100

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

Nano Banana 218.5 / 100

Grok Imagine Image Quality59.3 / 100

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

Nano Banana 249.4 / 100

Grok Imagine Image Quality21 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Grok Imagine Image Quality
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	Grok Imagine Image Quality
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	65.4 / 100 Mean rank: 10.33 (7 / 9 / 15) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score29.6 / 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	4.9 / 100 Mean rank: 26.67 (27 / 25 / 28) Five rubric scores Subject: 1 / 2 Time: 0.67 / 2 Watch details: 1 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1 / 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 score59.3 / 100 Mean rank: 12 (18 / 10 / 8) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1.33 / 2 Environment: 1 / 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	21 / 100 Mean rank: 22.33 (23 / 22 / 22) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 0.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 0.33 / 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.

10 shared result series

Nano Banana 2Grok Imagine Image Quality

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

Nano Banana 21,321 Elo

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,235 Elo

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

Nano Banana 21,250 Elo

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,225 Elo

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

Nano Banana 21,258.705

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,207.187

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

Nano Banana 21,250.508

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,210.217

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

Nano Banana 21,266.735

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,227.232

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

Nano Banana 21,272.164

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,224.523

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

Nano Banana 21,263.056

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228.14

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

Nano Banana 21,269.812

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,242.93

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

Nano Banana 21,266.805

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,271.787

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

Nano Banana 21,294.784

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,249.616

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Grok Imagine Image Quality
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	Grok Imagine Image Quality	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,321 Elo Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 15,335 ratings	1,235 Elo Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 15,970 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,250 Elo Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 12,690 ratings	1,225 Elo Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,235 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	1,207.187 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±9.22, 4,538 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,250.508 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.92, 4,154 ratings	1,210.217 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±7.93, 6,779 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,266.735 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.6, 10,445 ratings	1,227.232 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.12, 18,027 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	1,224.523 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,674 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,263.056 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±5.24, 27,910 ratings	1,228.14 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±4.23, 48,786 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,269.812 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.28, 11,229 ratings	1,242.93 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 20,413 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	1,266.805 Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9.15, 5,554 ratings	No clear lead1,271.787 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.36, 10,165 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	1,249.616 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 16,688 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
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 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

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: b6cccae7af9a70af45a46b9e3264fa6971101e04979f7a0539e889ba6521250a

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 5eb607f5dab8f6ef684eb315d3cae08e7d962bb6df6b77aaf88a64e0dc5665eb

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

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 03fbeae7859be72584048dfc23fba0651220ab44c707da66c386b77d90cc86f7

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: f576589c9e48139779b3876e26e751fa6282caa2363332dff24d10409696b3d7

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

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 0ea1e48f20bf61ff10414398b5248b0496c9040b3868c915580efd11d0dbaf11

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 9320d8ca97077311b8f57251645ad46aa9fe084e77bbdfb99f5543d8db898855

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
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 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

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 84d88fb03bdbba672fc91268f4c120b17a19e4c9d637425aeca8ed44b2397d9f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 46fe1175225b4b1ddc97b59b3735541cd5b214e0226e1ef1f2c3cf02beaf8485

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 Grok Imagine Image Quality with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. Grok Imagine Image Quality

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

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