AI Quick Tips 370: We haven't had a new Nano Banana in a while, he thought (hold my beer...)

Google has released Nano Banana 2 Lite (technically gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image). They are calling it their “smallest and most cost effective image generation and editing model, built for at scale usage”

It looks like it is half the cost of Nano Banana 2, so if this model can create the images that you want, you can save a good amount of money (and time).

This model is also the recommended replacement for anyone that is using the OG Nano Banana (aka gemini-2.5-flash-image).

Google claims that Nano Banana 2 Lite delivers text-to-image output in 4 seconds (I haven’t tested this yet so I have no position). It is also approximately $0.034 per 1,000 images. They built it for speed - “optimized for near real-time, high-volume workflows where ultra-low latency is critical”

Here is a chart that they put together to help show when to choose the different models in the Nano Banana family -

The original Nano Banana is not included since they recommend not using it anymore and upgrading to Nano Banana 2 Lite.

The new model is available in -

• Google AI Studio (with some free quote available)
• Gemini Api
• Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform
• AI Mode is Google Search
• Gemini app
• “And many other products”

Find it and try it out