- Google confirms that "Nano Banana" is the alias of Gemini 2.5 Flash Image for image generation and editing.
- Conversational editing with coherent characters and objects and consistent results.
- Available for free in the Gemini app and to developers via the API, AI Studio, and Vertex AI.
- Security reinforcements with SynthID and filters for sensitive content.
In recent days, the name «Nano Banana» It has spread like wildfire on forums and technical networks due to its performance in AI visual editing tests. What seemed like a mystery now has a trace: Google and its new image engine integrated into Gemini are behind it.
The company confirms that Nano Banana is the alias of Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, a system capable of generating and retouching photographs using natural language, maintaining style, characters and objects with a consistency that was previously difficult for these models.
What is Nano Banana and who is behind it?
During its early appearances, the model was featured in LM Arena rankings under the nickname "Nano Banana," sparking speculation and "banana" jokes until Google officially introduced it as part of Gemini. The underlying idea is clear: to unify image generation and editing into a simple, conversational, and fast workflow.
Google emphasizes that its approach is based on the knowledge of the world of Gemini and in advanced AI models, which helps to understand the context of the instructions and to apply more precise changes than those of purely visual generators.
Conversational editing: from prompt to fine-tuning
The model works with commands in natural language and allows you to interact with the image: you can ask “make the sky more dramatic,” “remove that sign,” or “change the color of the car to red” and refine the result in successive rounds without starting from scratch.
This multi-turn interaction reduces the friction typical of traditional tools. According to Google, it is possible select specific areas to adjust color, lighting or texture, remove unwanted elements, replace backgrounds and add objects that blend in while respecting shadows and perspective.
In addition to basic retouching, the platform understands instructions such as "place the same character in another scene" or "show the product from various angles", preserving the subject and its appearance with consistency between editions.
Consistency, quality and speed
One of the notable advances is the improvement of the visual coherence In successive editions, facial features, hands, pets, or objects remain stable with fewer deformations, something that historically put generative models in trouble.
Photorealism gains ground with more natural lighting and textures, and Google claims improved performance very fast ("lightning fast") which accelerates creative cycles for tasks such as product variations or themed scenes.
In community tests, the system has climbed positions in LM Arena for image editing, placing itself among the engines with best user experience according to user ratings.
Main tools and use cases
Gemini 2.5 Flash Image bundles features designed for both general users and creative teams. Some of the most striking features allow compose images from various sources and place them in a coherent environment.
- Contextual retouching: color, exposure, texture, or style adjustments without losing key elements of the original.
- Removal and replacement: erase objects, change backgrounds or add elements with light and shadow integration.
- Composition and mixture: combine two photos into one scene and transfer patterns or styles from one image to another.
- Multi-shift edition: chain changes (painting walls, adding furniture, modifying wardrobe) without restarting the process.
In marketing, decoration, fashion or content for networks, the tool is used to create variants quickly, maintain consistent brand assets and test visual ideas without resorting to traditional software.
Security and usage limits
To minimize abuse, Google applies filters that block violent or sexually explicit content, and restricts editing of real people or public figures. The goal is to reduce the risk of misinformation and deepfakes.
All images generated or edited incorporate SynthID, an imperceptible digital watermark on the file itself that helps verify its origin. In addition, the company mentions additional signals and proactive controls to strengthen traceability.
The usage policy expressly prohibits the creation of intimate material without consent and other sensitive categories, reinforcing the approach of Responsible AI in Gemini services.
How to use Nano Banana in the Gemini app
Access is direct: there's no need to install anything separately or choose a specific model. Just open Gemini, upload a photo, and describe the changesIf you want to keep everything except one setting, you can start with "In the original photo, ..." to make it clear that the rest should be respected.
Some useful examples: "make it black and white," "remove the corner post," "add a dog on the bench," or "change the dress to green." The system tries to keep features and proportions of the subject while applying the change.
You can also upload two photos and request that the content of one appear in the other, or transfer the style of a pattern (for example, butterfly wings) to a garment or object in the second image.
Availability and access for developers
The functionality is available in the Gemini app for the general public. For professional integrations, it can be accessed via the Gemini API, Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, opening the door to enterprise workflows and third-party apps.
Use in the app is free with reasonable limits. For developers, Google offers usage pricingA cost of $30 per million tokens is mentioned as a reference in the API, with rough estimates placing each image at a few euro cents, depending on the use case.
Competitive context
The move is aimed directly at rivals such as Midjourney or DALL·E (OpenAI). Google's focus is on conversational editing and result consistency, supported by Gemini's contextual understanding.
With the alias Nano Banana already integrated into its ecosystem, the company tries to close the gap in an area where speed, quality and control are decisive for the end user.
FAQs
Is Nano Banana a standalone app?
No. It is a model within Gemini, so it is used from the app's own interface.
Is there a cost for end users?
In the Gemini app you can use for free with usage limits. API integrations do have pricing.
Do I have to select the model manually?
No. The selection is Automatic when you perform image generation or editing functions in Gemini.
With a focus on conversational editing, the subject consistency between shots and built-in security measures, Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) is shaping up to be a solid choice for creating and retouching images for both everyday and professional projects, whether from the Gemini app or through its APIs.
