Google launches Nano Banana 2 Lite, fastest and cheapest AI image model yet

Key Points

• Google DeepMind introduces Nano Banana 2 Lite, part of the Gemini 3.1 family.
• Model generates images in about four seconds, five times faster than the standard Nano Banana.
• API pricing is $0.034 per 1,000 images, markedly cheaper than higher‑tier models.
• Performance trade‑offs include difficulty with small text, infographics, and consistent human features.
• Arena.ai user scores show Lite outputs rated almost as highly as non‑Lite versions.
• Available across Google’s ecosystem, targeting rapid prototyping and idea exploration.