Google has released Nano Banana 2.1

Google has released Nano Banana 2.1: smarter and cheaper than Pro

Google has released Nano Banana 2.1 based on Gemini 3.6 Flash. The model is 4 times cheaper than its predecessor and surpasses the Pro version in image generation quality tests.

Nano Banana 2.1 from Google: review of the new AI model

New image generation model Nano Banana 2.1 from Google. Price is 4 times lower, quality is higher than the Pro version. Supports 4K, masks, and references.

Google Nano Banana 2.1, image generation, Gemini 3.6 Flash, artificial intelligence, creating images, AI generation, Google API cost

Google has unveiled the updated Nano Banana 2.1 image generation model, built on the Gemini 3.6 Flash architecture. This new version replaces the previous generation and demonstrates a significant increase in efficiency while reducing usage costs.

The key advantage of the update is radical pricing optimization. Generating an image at 1K resolution costs just $0.0336, nearly four times cheaper than the previous model version, where the price reached $0.134.

The model offers extended functionality for working with visual content. New features include mask-based editing to modify specific areas of a scene, support for up to 14 reference images while preserving character and object traits, and the ability to create frames with aspect ratios up to 8:1.

Technical specifications include support for resolutions up to 4K and three levels of computation to balance processing quality and speed. Meanwhile, performance remains comparable to standard Flash models, ensuring high system responsiveness.

According to internal Google tests, the new version showed excellent results in comparative analysis. The Nano Banana 2.1 model with active reasoning mode scored 1050 Elo points, outperforming the base version (990 points) and the premium Pro version (935 points).

Integration of the updated model has already begun within the Google ecosystem. Features are available in the Gemini app, AI Mode in Search, AI Studio tools, Flow, and the Google Ads advertising platform.