Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs. Wan 2.6 Text to Image

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: 13
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-09-22

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 Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Attribute	Nano Banana 2	Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Provider	Google	Alibaba
Released	February 2026	January 2026
Access	API, Web app	API
Lifecycle	Stable API since May 28, 2026. The arena entry names the earlier pre-release 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	Text to Image
Text-to-image price	$67 per 1,000 images	$30 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$67 per 1,000 images	No arena entry
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Nano Banana 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image

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

Nano Banana 2$67

Wan 2.6 Text to Image$30

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 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 290.8 / 100

Wan 2.6 Text to Image13.8 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 251.7 / 100

Wan 2.6 Text to Image14.9 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 217.2 / 100

Wan 2.6 Text to Image88.5 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

Nano Banana 244.8 / 100

Wan 2.6 Text to Image48.3 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	Wan 2.6 Text to Image
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	13.8 / 100 Mean rank: 26 (26 / 26 / 26) Five rubric scores Headline: 1 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1 / 2 Visual brief: 1.67 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score51.7 / 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	14.9 / 100 Mean rank: 25.67 (25 / 26 / 26) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.67 / 2 Time: 1.67 / 2 Watch details: 1.67 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	17.2 / 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	Higher blind-rank score88.5 / 100 Mean rank: 4.33 (1 / 9 / 3) 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 score48.3 / 100 Mean rank: 16 (14 / 18 / 16) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1 / 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.

9 shared result series

Nano Banana 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image

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

Nano Banana 21,122 Elo

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,013 Elo

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

Nano Banana 21,254.41

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,146.23

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

Nano Banana 21,241.433

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,159.207

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

Nano Banana 21,262.558

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,146.213

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

Nano Banana 21,268.907

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,147.938

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

Nano Banana 21,260.681

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,136.586

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

Nano Banana 21,267.637

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,128.939

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

Nano Banana 21,264.207

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,123.606

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

Nano Banana 21,291.89

Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,148.597

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Benchmark	Nano Banana 2	Wan 2.6 Text to Image	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,122 Elo Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 17,440 ratings	1,013 Elo Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 5,197 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	1,146.23 Rank 34, 95% confidence interval: ±6.22, 19,059 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,241.433 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±8.42, 6,187 ratings	1,159.207 Rank 30, 95% confidence interval: ±5.69, 25,966 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,262.558 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±6.59, 15,963 ratings	1,146.213 Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±4.36, 80,740 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	1,147.938 Rank 34, 95% confidence interval: ±4.26, 75,048 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,260.681 Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.64, 41,957 ratings	1,136.586 Rank 38, 95% confidence interval: ±2.94, 201,108 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,267.637 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.51, 16,554 ratings	1,128.939 Rank 43, 95% confidence interval: ±4.28, 81,875 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,264.207 Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±7.87, 8,364 ratings	1,123.606 Rank 47, 95% confidence interval: ±5.18, 44,669 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	1,148.597 Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±4.4, 71,703 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

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
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:30 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

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: cf49d7136a442f4f1c1ae29af99e917aa83bcbf501fdacfe3a13a3b3e74d7f9a

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: 10c9f29d46b749448e574d11b560a2c20065d9026f1f52a99f09b23b6299c9c5

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

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: 28eecbf460194ec047237c35415d934929baee9de9938bdff435cd21a4416435

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: d9e00f8c778897df69e719c5bf9fa73115d87abeb23d63eec50dc2280f0e29a9

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

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: e8dbcfd0ce965814d72d676eddf74f723d476c1f78c5928c7b6efbc4eca4765e

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: d1539f1db265e5a110b20b8585984ef534d0b89f51e83fd0fc51551832b669d1

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
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 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

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: 7e9557478ee297369d7680b31ab3b23a13c984981c0e0c922ef07372999122a7

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: 2018571c876690a189c5076c520f09d03dd75a18ad6c52550cd51f854c30aa9d

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 Wan 2.6 Text to Image 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

Nano Banana 2 vs. Wan 2.6 Text to Image

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