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ZDNET's key takeaways
The new Nano Banana 2 promises better image generation.
The new model aims to produce high-quality images much faster.
Nano Banana 2 is now the default model across all Google apps and sites.
Last year Google made a big splash in the world of AI-powered image creation with its Nano Banana model. Now the next generation has debuted. And it promises a host of enhancements for generating photos, drawings, diagrams, infographics, and other images for individuals, professionals, and businesses alike.
On Thursday, Google announced Nano Banana 2 (officially dubbed Gemini 3.1 Flash). Accessible to free and paid users, the new model replaces the first Nano Banana everywhere. That means it's now the default at the Gemini website and app, Google search, Google Flow, AI Studio, and the Gemini API for developers.
Also: The best AI image generators of 2026: There's only one clear winner now
So what makes the second banana so much better than the first? Here's what's new, according to Google.
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