Google released Nano Banana 2 Lite on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 — the latest version of its AI image and video generator, designed for high-volume workflows that require rapid output.
The new model can produce images in four seconds and is priced at $0.034 per 1,000 images, making it significantly faster and more affordable than its predecessor. Google describes it as optimized for creators who need to generate and iterate on large numbers of images quickly, positioning it as a replacement for the original Nano Banana, which the company now labels its “legacy model.”
Nano Banana 2 Lite fits into a broader product lineup that includes Nano Banana 2 — described by Google as a “generalist workhorse” — and Nano Banana Pro, a more powerful and more expensive option for advanced use cases. The original Nano Banana launched last summer and was powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash, followed by Nano Banana 2 in February, which added the ability to generate more realistic images.
The new model is available through Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and Google’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform.
Also on Tuesday, Google announced a wider release of Gemini Omni Flash, first introduced at Google I/O earlier in 2026. The video model is priced at $0.10 per second of video output. Google also demonstrated Omni Product Studio, a new app it says can convert static images into “cinematic e-commerce videos.”
“Building with generative media is often about creative iteration,” Google said in a blog post. “With these two models, developers can build comprehensive, end-to-end multimedia experiences that connect rapid image generation with video creation and editing.”
The releases come as Google continues to invest in generative media tools despite ongoing criticism over AI-generated content. The company recently signed a $75 million deal with film studio A24, a partnership that has drawn criticism from fans of the studio.
Source: TechCrunch