Nano Banana 2.1: What's New and How to Use It

On October 6, 2026 Google opened Nano Banana 2.1 to everyone. It is an update to Nano Banana 2 with the same speed: according to Google, images got better and the text on them got cleaner. In Pixyn the model is already in the studio, and a generation costs from 4 tokens per image.

In short

• What was released. The Nano Banana 2.1 image model (Google calls it Gemini Nano Banana 2.1), the next version of Nano Banana 2. For new projects Google recommends this one.
• What improved. Quality in 1K, 2K and 4K; prompt following; keeping the character across a series of edits; text and infographics; elongated formats 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1.
• References. Up to 14 photos in one request: up to 4 characters and up to 10 objects.
• In Pixyn. 14 aspect ratios are available; quality 1K, 2K and 4K; up to 14 photos; from 4 tokens per image.

How to open Nano Banana 2.1 in Pixyn

The fastest way is the link: the studio with Nano Banana 2.1. The model is selected automatically, you only need to write a prompt.

If you go to the studio the usual way:

1. Open the "Images" section.
2. In the "Model family" list, choose Nano Banana.
3. In the "Model version" list, choose Nano Banana 2.1. Pro comes first in the group, so 2.1 has to be selected explicitly.
4. Set "Aspect ratio" and "Quality".
5. Write the prompt. Attach photos if you need to edit a finished image or build a scene from your own materials.

What is available in the studio:

Parameter	Nano Banana 2.1 in Pixyn
Aspect ratio	14 options: 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9, 1:4, 1:8, 4:1, 8:1
Quality	1K, 2K, 4K
Photos in one request	up to 14
Cost	from 4 tokens per image

The generate button shows the final price, including the selected quality, before you run it.

What changed compared with Nano Banana 2

In the Gemini API changelog and in the model card, Google lists five areas where 2.1 is stronger than its predecessor:

• Quality and realism in all three resolutions: 1K, 2K and 4K.
• Prompt following: the model does what is written more precisely.
• A character across a series of edits: the appearance holds better after several refinements in a row.
• Text and infographics: lettering and diagram layout come out cleaner.
• Elongated formats 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1 in all three resolutions.

Speed and price at Google stayed at the level of Flash models, that is, fast ones. Google's image generation guide gives 2.1 the role of a workhorse for a stream of images and leaves professional work to Pro.

Wide formats: banners, headers, panoramas

The 4:1 and 8:1 proportions are needed where the image stretches in width: a marketplace store header, a website banner, a community cover, an interior panorama. In the model card Google separately notes that on these formats in 2K and 4K it fixed "tiling" artifacts: areas that repeated as if the frame had been glued together from identical pieces.

The format is set by the "Aspect ratio" setting, not by words in the prompt. Choose 4:1 or 8:1 before generating and describe the scene for a long frame: what is on the left, in the center, on the right.

A panoramic banner for a home textile store: a bright Scandinavian-style bedroom, on the left a bed with sand-colored linen bedding, on the right a window with soft morning light, free space in the center for a caption, photorealistic, level horizon

It is better to leave the free space empty and add the caption later in an editor. If you need it right on the image, see the next section.

Text and infographics on the image

Google has a simple tip: first get the text itself, and only then ask for an image with it. The model copes better when the wording is ready in advance rather than born together with the image. Write the phrases yourself or ask a text model in the "Chat" section, then paste them into the prompt in quotes.

Infographic for a product card: a stainless steel travel mug in the center on a light gray background, on the left three short points with simple icons: "Keeps heat for 8 hours", "Volume 450 ml", "Leak-proof", large sans-serif font, even spacing

For a marketplace card, choose a vertical format in the list, for example 3:4.

Don't do this: "Make an infographic about the mug and write all its advantages". The model will invent the wording itself, and the image will end up with phrases you did not order. Give the exact text in quotes, three or four short points.

Up to 14 references: product, person and interior in one scene

You can attach up to 14 photos to one request. According to Google, 2.1 keeps up to 4 characters recognizable and carries up to 10 objects into the frame close to the original. This is how you build a scene from your own photos: a product, a person and an interior.

So that the model does not mix up the roles of the photos, refer to them in upload order:

(attach three photos: a bag, a woman, an interior) The woman from the second photo holds the bag from the first photo and stands by the window in the interior from the third photo, soft daylight, a natural pose, keep the woman's face and the leather texture of the bag

For a series of cards with one hero, keep the same character photos in all requests and change only the scene in the text.

How to refine an image with edits

Google calls a series of edits the recommended way to bring an image to the look you need. In the Pixyn studio, drag the finished image from the conversation into the input field, and it becomes an attachment of the next request. Describe one change and say separately what to keep as is.

(drag the finished image into the input field) Replace the background with a warm sunset, keep the person, the clothes and the light on the face unchanged

While you are looking for the composition, keep the quality at 1K: it is cheaper. When the scene is found, switch to 2K or 4K.

Which Nano Banana generation to choose

The Nano Banana group in Pixyn now has five generations: Pro, 2.1, 2, the first Nano Banana and 2 Lite. Which one to take for a task is covered in the article Nano Banana 2: which generation to choose. There is also a separate Nano Banana Pro review about the senior model and an article about Nano Banana 2 Lite about the fastest one in the family according to Google.

Frequently asked questions about Nano Banana 2.1

How is Nano Banana 2.1 different from Nano Banana 2?

According to Google, at the same speed 2.1 has higher quality and realism, more precise prompt following, a more stable character across a series of edits, cleaner text and the elongated formats 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1.

How much does a generation cost?

From 4 tokens per image.

Why does the studio open Pro first?

Pro comes first in the Nano Banana group. Choose 2.1 in the "Model version" list or open the studio via the link at the beginning of the article.

How many photos can I attach to one request?

Up to 14.

Try the model right away: Nano Banana 2.1 in the Pixyn studio. The capabilities of the whole group are collected on the Nano Banana page in the knowledge base, and plans and token packs are on the pricing page.

We checked the facts about the model against the Gemini API changelog, the Nano Banana 2.1 model card and the image generation guide in Google's documentation.