Google’s new Nano Banana 2 Lite image model is its fastest and cheapest yet

谷歌推出全新的 Nano Banana 2 Lite 图像模型，主打极致速度与低廉成本

There are plenty of AI image-generation models these days, but the ones capable of quality outputs tend to be slow and expensive. Google DeepMind says its new image model, known as Nano Banana 2 Lite, offers the best balance of quality and speed. It’s available today across the Google ecosystem, creating images in a fraction of the time it takes Google’s beefier models.

如今市面上的 AI 图像生成模型层出不穷，但那些能够输出高质量图像的模型往往速度缓慢且成本高昂。Google DeepMind 表示，其名为 Nano Banana 2 Lite 的新图像模型在质量与速度之间取得了最佳平衡。该模型即日起在谷歌生态系统中全面上线，生成图像所需的时间仅为谷歌更大型模型的一小部分。

The new model is part of the Gemini 3.1 family—it’s technically called Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image. On one hand, Google says this model is ideal for exploring ideas and “rapid-fire” prototyping, applications in which quality can take a backseat. However, the company has also provided some examples aimed at showing how close Nano Banana 2 Lite can get to the quality of its other image models.

这款新模型属于 Gemini 3.1 系列，其正式名称为 Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image。谷歌表示，该模型非常适合用于创意探索和“快速”原型设计，在这些应用场景中，质量可以退居次要地位。不过，谷歌也提供了一些示例，旨在展示 Nano Banana 2 Lite 的输出质量能够多大程度上接近其其他图像模型。

In addition to the examples, Google also has Elo scores from Arena.ai ready to go, showing that users rate Nano Banana 2 Lite outputs almost as highly as the non-Lite versions. However, vibemarking doesn’t always focus on the details that can make AI images look silly upon closer inspection. Google notes that Nano Banana 2 Lite tends to have more trouble with text, particularly if it’s very small, and infographics are more likely to include incorrect data. Characters and people may also show poor consistency across iterations.

除了示例之外，谷歌还公布了来自 Arena.ai 的 Elo 评分，显示用户对 Nano Banana 2 Lite 输出结果的评价几乎与非 Lite 版本不相上下。然而，这种主观评分并不总是关注那些在仔细观察下会让 AI 图像显得荒谬的细节。谷歌指出，Nano Banana 2 Lite 在处理文本时往往更容易出错，尤其是当文字非常小时；此外，信息图表也更容易包含错误数据。在多次迭代中，角色和人物的一致性也可能表现不佳。

But it’s fast. You can go from text to an image in about 4 seconds in the default low-thinking mode. Generating the same images in the standard Nano Banana takes about 20 seconds. The speed and efficiency mean developers accessing Nano Banana 2 Lite via the API will pay a lot less. Google says it averages $0.034 per 1K image. The API rates are $0.25 for 1M input tokens and $1.50 for 1M output tokens. That’s half the rate for Nano Banana 2. For Nano Banana Pro, the input tokens are only a little more at $2 for 1M, but the output pricing is $12 (eight times higher).

但它的速度确实很快。在默认的“低思考”模式下，你可以在大约 4 秒内完成从文本到图像的生成。而使用标准版 Nano Banana 生成同样的图像则需要约 20 秒。这种速度和效率意味着通过 API 调用 Nano Banana 2 Lite 的开发者将支付更少的费用。谷歌表示，平均每 1000 张图像的成本为 0.034 美元。API 定价为每 100 万输入 Token 收费 0.25 美元，每 100 万输出 Token 收费 1.50 美元。这仅为 Nano Banana 2 价格的一半。对于 Nano Banana Pro，输入 Token 的价格略高，为每 100 万 2 美元，但输出价格高达 12 美元（是 Lite 版的八倍）。

If you’re just tinkering with an AI model to make a single image, it probably makes sense to use the Flash or Pro versions of Nano Banana. They can handle text better, and anything photorealistic will be more accurate. But for rapid iteration and design inspiration, Nano Banana 2 Lite could save you a lot of time and money. The rapid-fire nature of Nano Banana 2 Lite also means there may be a lot more AI slop circulating online.

如果你只是想尝试用 AI 模型制作单张图像，那么使用 Flash 或 Pro 版本的 Nano Banana 可能更合理。它们能更好地处理文本，且在照片级真实感方面也更准确。但对于快速迭代和设计灵感获取来说，Nano Banana 2 Lite 可以为你节省大量时间和金钱。Nano Banana 2 Lite 的快速生成特性也意味着，未来网络上可能会出现更多低质量的 AI 生成内容。

Google is not the only company offering cheap image generation, but Nano Banana 2 Lite appears to be a step up in quality compared to other low-cost options. Google notes that all images produced by Nano Banana 2 Lite have SynthID watermarks, which theoretically label them as AI even after edits. You can play with Nano Banana 2 Lite in Google AI Studio, and it’s live in the API. You can also access the new image model in Gemini by selecting the Flash-Lite option and asking for an image. Google says it’s also expanding access to Gemini Omni Flash, which it announced at I/O in May. Omni, which is still limited to video generation, is now available in the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. It was previously launched in the Gemini app and Google Flow.

谷歌并非唯一提供廉价图像生成的公司，但与其它低成本方案相比，Nano Banana 2 Lite 在质量上似乎更胜一筹。谷歌指出，所有由 Nano Banana 2 Lite 生成的图像都带有 SynthID 水印，理论上即使经过编辑，也能将其标记为 AI 生成。你可以在 Google AI Studio 中体验 Nano Banana 2 Lite，它也已在 API 中上线。你还可以通过在 Gemini 中选择 Flash-Lite 选项并要求生成图像来使用该模型。谷歌表示，它还在扩大 Gemini Omni Flash 的访问权限，该功能曾在 5 月的 I/O 大会上发布。目前仅限于视频生成的 Omni，现已在 Gemini API 和 Google AI Studio 中可用。此前，它已在 Gemini 应用和 Google Flow 中推出。