Google Unveils Nano Banana 2 Lite: Fastest and Cheapest AI Image Model Yet

Google DeepMind has released Nano Banana 2 Lite, the fastest and most affordable image generation model in its lineup. Officially called Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image, the model is now available across the Google ecosystem and creates images in a fraction of the time required by beefier models. It is designed for rapid prototyping and idea exploration, with quality approaching that of the non-Lite versions according to user ratings, though it struggles with small text, infographics, and consistent character depiction.