Nano Banana 2.1: What We Know About Google's New Model

Inside Google, the new model was initially referred to as Nano Banana 2.5, but is now being rolled out to Flow users as Nano Banana 2.1.

The main clue lies in the model's internal config within Gemini: IMAGE_GENERATOR_GEMPIX_2P5_FLASH

Development and release timeline:

• June — instant-ramen
• August — instant-ramen-v2 -> spicy-mayo
• September — partners allegedly received nano-banana-2.5 via Vertex
• October — GEMPIX_2P5_FLASH appears
• Now — the branch is being released as Nano Banana 2.1

The model has already started appearing for Flow users, although the rollout remains unstable: it appears and disappears for some users.

Reviews are diametrically opposed. Some praise better prompt understanding and speed, while others report significantly worse instruction following and stricter limitations.

There is a theory that Nano Banana 2.1 internally routes to the older Nano Banana Pro, as image quality is not impressive and there have been no major breakthroughs.