Google has released Nano Banana 2 Lite, the newest version of its in-house AI image and video generator — promising significantly faster generation speeds and lower costs than its predecessor.
The model can produce images in just four seconds, making it suitable for high-volume creative workflows where rapid iteration is essential. At $0.034 per 1,000 images, it is designed for creators looking to draft and perfect content at scale without breaking budgets.
Following last summer's original Nano Banana (powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash) and February's Nano Banana 2 (which introduced more realistic imaging), this Lite version is optimized for high-volume, rapid-paced workflows. Google describes the standard Nano Banana 2 as a "generalist workhorse," while Banana 2 Lite is built for speed and affordability.
Nano Banana 2 Lite is available through Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and Google's Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, replacing what Google now calls its "legacy model."
In a parallel release, Google announced the wider rollout of Gemini Omni Flash — initially introduced at Google I/O — which costs $0.10 per second of video output. The company also demoed Omni Product Studio, an app that transforms static images into "cinematic e-commerce videos."
The launches come amid ongoing controversy over AI-generated content, with critics raising concerns about "AI slop." Nonetheless, Google continues to invest heavily: it recently struck a $75 million deal with acclaimed indie studio A24, a partnership that has drawn significant criticism from fans.
