Google launches Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Nano Banana 2 — technically Gemini 3.1 Flash Image — launched on 26 Feb 2026, combining Nano Banana Pro quality with Flash speed; it became the default image model across the Gemini app, AI Mode, Lens, Ads and Flow and debuted at #1 in the Artificial Analysis text-to-image arena. GA as `gemini-3.1-flash-image` followed on 28 May.
Key facts
- Preview 2026-02-26 as gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview; GA gemini-3.1-flash-image on 2026-05-28
- Default image engine in Gemini app, Search AI Mode, Google Lens, Google Ads and Flow
- Ranked #1 in Artificial Analysis Text-to-Image arena shortly after launch (per press)
What happened
Google released a faster, more realistic successor to its viral Nano Banana image model and made it the default image generator across its products.
Why it matters
Image generation/editing became a major driver of Gemini adoption (Google later reported 150M+ images generated daily in the Gemini app).
Changelog
- 2026-09-29: created
Related events
- Google unveils Gemini Omni, an any-to-any model that generates and conversationally edits video ★★★★
Sources (4)
- officialGoogle: Nano Banana 2
- pressTechCrunch: Google launches Nano Banana 2
- officialWorkspace Updates: Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app
- docsGemini API release notes
id: 2026-02-26-nano-banana-2 · updated 2026-09-29 · open in the interactive timeline