Skip to main content

Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. Nano Banana 2 Lite

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
16
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
2026-09-22

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 Nano Banana 2 Lite
AttributeNano Banana 2Nano Banana 2 Lite
ProviderGoogleGoogle
ReleasedFebruary 2026June 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleStable API since May 28, 2026. The arena entry names the earlier pre-release configuration Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K1K
Arena configurationGemini 3.1 Flash Image PreviewGemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image
Text-to-image price$67 per 1,000 images$33.6 per 1,000 images
Editing price$67 per 1,000 images$33.6 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
Nano Banana 2Nano Banana 2 Lite
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2$67
Nano Banana 2 LiteLower price$33.6
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2$67
Nano Banana 2 LiteLower price$33.6

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Both checkpoints completed the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, 30 archived first outputs are 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 2Nano Banana 2 Lite
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Nano Banana 2Higher blind-rank score90.8 / 100
Nano Banana 2 Lite78.2 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Nano Banana 251.7 / 100
Nano Banana 2 LiteHigher blind-rank score65.5 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Nano Banana 2Higher blind-rank score17.2 / 100
Nano Banana 2 Lite11.5 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Nano Banana 244.8 / 100
Nano Banana 2 LiteHigher blind-rank score57.5 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana 2 Lite
BenchmarkNano Banana 2Nano Banana 2 Lite
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
Higher blind-rank score90.8 / 100
Mean rank: 3.67 (6 / 4 / 1)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.67 / 2
Layout: 1.67 / 2
78.2 / 100
Mean rank: 7.33 (5 / 6 / 11)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.67 / 2
Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
51.7 / 100
Mean rank: 15 (20 / 24 / 1)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.67 / 2
Time: 1.67 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.67 / 2
Exclusions: 1.67 / 2
Higher blind-rank score65.5 / 100
Mean rank: 11 (8 / 17 / 8)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.67 / 2
Time: 1.67 / 2
Watch details: 1.67 / 2
Photography: 1.67 / 2
Exclusions: 1.67 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
Higher blind-rank score17.2 / 100
Mean rank: 25 (29 / 29 / 17)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1 / 2
Wardrobe: 1 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
11.5 / 100
Mean rank: 26.67 (30 / 30 / 20)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1 / 2
Wardrobe: 1 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
44.8 / 100
Mean rank: 17 (18 / 15 / 18)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.33 / 2
Labels: 1 / 2
Diagram: 1.67 / 2
Clarity: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score57.5 / 100
Mean rank: 13.33 (15 / 13 / 12)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.33 / 2
Labels: 1 / 2
Diagram: 1.33 / 2
Clarity: 1.33 / 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.

12 shared result series
Nano Banana 2Nano Banana 2 Lite
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,122 Elo
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,092 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,106 Elo
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,042 Elo
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,254.41
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,226.293
LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,241.433
Nano Banana 2 LiteNo clear lead1,255.576
LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2No clear lead1,262.558
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,257.93
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,268.907
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.509
LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2No clear lead1,260.681
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.402
LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2No clear lead1,267.637
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,260.141
LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2No clear lead1,264.207
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,247.68
LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,291.89
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,275.491
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,367.772
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,289.38
LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 2Higher score1,387.492
Nano Banana 2 Lite1,314.296

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana 2 Lite
BenchmarkNano Banana 2Nano Banana 2 LiteSource
Text to Image Arena
Higher score1,122 Elo
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 17,440 ratings
1,092 Elo
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 15,812 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
Image Editing Arena
Higher score1,106 Elo
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 14,171 ratings
1,042 Elo
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 5,732 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling
Higher score1,254.41
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±10.05, 4,053 ratings
1,226.293
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±14.58, 1,568 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art
1,241.433
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8.42, 6,187 ratings
No clear lead1,255.576
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±12.19, 2,303 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon
No clear lead1,262.558
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±6.59, 15,963 ratings
1,257.93
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8.68, 6,253 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design
Higher score1,268.907
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 14,451 ratings
1,250.509
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±8.73, 5,899 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall
No clear lead1,260.681
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.64, 41,957 ratings
1,250.402
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.19, 16,371 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism
No clear lead1,267.637
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.51, 16,554 ratings
1,260.141
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±8.56, 6,745 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits
No clear lead1,264.207
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±7.87, 8,364 ratings
1,247.68
Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±10.67, 3,352 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering
Higher score1,291.89
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±6.82, 13,848 ratings
1,275.491
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±9.1, 5,412 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing
Higher score1,367.772
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±4.12, 69,429 ratings
1,289.38
Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±5.21, 26,348 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Overall
Higher score1,387.492
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±3.51, 157,693 ratings
1,314.296
Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.92, 59,280 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19

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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Character and detail
Nano Banana 2, Character and detail
Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2 Lite
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
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

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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 6c7d17b2a84129cbeba7d52c8de703773e9296562d9d603688256d2717e65a0c

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: c8a36467199e361b900613c1db90cb99b0f552ddb7f7c7f2dd4aeb51ddb5ee1a

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Infographic
Nano Banana 2, Infographic
Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2 Lite
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
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

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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 11d8b5ddf15becefa6e4e32fca21729ff7d57f561a10e3a2b4b6f5c7a0aed6ef

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 0e6096a9f082a718e45fcf3733bf3ffc92cb6c9db66b8c2c73d6c764ea0b15c8

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Product photography
Nano Banana 2, Product photography
Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2 Lite
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
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

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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 30d9b09b92917eca84675448260a083ad368d9ea25376dabccac0f526f3a3ab7

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: cab5c6b0ea5c96eb96b640e581e0fe296421c7fffec3aad04f9394c978814ca1

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2 Lite
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
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

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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 9fab80fe1ad268b9ceceb4ef61ef1dd0e965dd3f28d377af7cf9cf201fdf47fa

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 942506d572642220473dd80be80ff16950d6d11f31fab2b5c3145f3f2a9b2513

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

Related image model comparisons

Compare Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana 2 Lite with other important image models under the same evidence rules. Each page shows only exact shared measurements and samples.

View the complete image model comparison