Google launches Nano Banana 2 Lite with 4-second AI image generation capabilities

Google has announced the launch of Nano Banana 2 Lite, the newest and fastest addition to its Nano Banana series, boasting an impressive image generation time of just four seconds. This model is specifically designed for developers who require quick processing of large volumes of images. In conjunction with this release, Google has broadened access to its Gemini Omni Flash, a multimodal tool that facilitates video generation and conversational editing. The two models are intended to complement each other, allowing developers to create seamless AI workflows that transition from image creation to short video production. Nano Banana 2 Lite, identified as gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image, is tailored for high-speed creative tasks where minimizing latency and costs is crucial. Google has emphasized its suitability for rapid prototyping, visual brainstorming, and other scenarios involving high-volume image generation. Moreover, it is set to replace the previous Nano Banana model, gemini-2.5-flash-image. Priced competitively at $0.034 per 1K-resolution image, Nano Banana 2 Lite emerges as the most cost-effective option for developers managing extensive workloads or operating with limited budgets. Notably, even with its focus on speed, the model ensures reliable adherence to prompts, consistent character representation across images, and legible text within visuals. The company clarified that while Nano Banana 2 Lite excels in rapid image generation, the original Nano Banana 2, also known as Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, serves as a versatile option. At the higher end of the spectrum, the Nano Banana Pro, or Gemini 3 Pro Image, is designed for tasks requiring increased reasoning, precision, and creative control. Developers can access the Nano Banana 2 Lite via Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. Additionally, it is being integrated into various consumer services, including the AI Mode in Search, the Gemini app, NotebookLM, Google Photos, Google Flow, Stitch, and Google Ads. The Gemini Omni Flash, which was initially introduced at Google I/O, is now available to developers in public preview through Google AI Studio and the Gemini API. This model enables high-quality video generation and conversational editing, allowing users to refine their videos with natural language prompts while ensuring consistency across multiple edits. Currently, Omni Flash can generate videos up to 10 seconds long, with plans for extended video support in future updates. Developers can use Nano Banana 2 Lite to create images that can then be transformed into short videos using the Gemini Omni Flash.