Google has released Nano Banana 2.1 — a new version of its image generation and editing model. The model card was published on October 6: in Google's tests the model beats the previous version across the board, and a 1K image via the API costs $0.0336 — half the price of Nano Banana 2. Here's what changed, what it really costs and how to use it for ad creatives.
How much Nano Banana 2.1 costs
Per-image prices from the official Gemini API pricing:
- 1K — $0.0336 (Nano Banana 2: $0.067);
- 2K — $0.0504 (was $0.101);
- 4K — $0.113 (was $0.151).
The Batch API halves the price again: 1K is $0.0168. There's no free tier in the API, but you can try the model in Google AI Studio and the Gemini app.
Note: some outlets say the model is "4x cheaper" and that the previous version cost $0.134. That's not the Nano Banana 2 price but the pricier Nano Banana Pro (1K and 2K — $0.134, 4K — $0.24). Against Pro the new model is indeed 4x cheaper; against its direct predecessor it's half the price at 1K and 2K and a quarter cheaper at 4K.
What's new
- Up to 14 reference images per request: keeps the look of up to 4 characters and the details of up to 10 objects. For e-commerce this means the product looks the same across a whole creative series.
- Wide formats. For 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1 Google fixed tiling at 2K and 4K — banners and panoramas no longer fall apart.
- 1K, 2K and 4K resolutions, 1K by default.
- Google Search. The model can ground on web and image search. 5,000 requests a month are free, then $14 per 1,000.
- Text in images in different languages — Google tested localized text separately.
In the model card the biggest gains are in infographic factuality (0.521 vs 0.179 for Nano Banana 2) and multi-character consistency (1106 vs 978 Elo).
Where it's available
According to the model card: the Gemini app, Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, AI Mode in Google Search, Google Ads, Google Flow and Google Stitch. It's already rolling out in AI Mode: in the Google app, tap the 🍌 icon under the search box. The API model ID is gemini-nano-banana-2.1.
How to use it in affiliate marketing
- Cheap creative tests. 100 images at 1K cost about $3.4, or $1.7 via the Batch API. You can quickly check dozens of angles and keep the ones that drive CTR. How to test creatives: Creatives for affiliate marketing.
- Localization by GEO. One funnel, several languages: the model rewrites the text in the image while keeping the product and the character.
- One product, a whole series. Upload a product photo as a reference and the model keeps it consistent across scenes and formats.
- Wide banners. Formats up to 8:1 work for site banners and leaderboards — no manual stitching.
- The full AI stack for affiliates is in AI tools for affiliate marketing.
Limitations
Google itself lists the weak spots: small text at 1K is often blurry, and long paragraphs in an image come out poorly. Use 2K for creatives with small type. And remember ad network policies — a generated image goes through moderation like any other.
In short
- Nano Banana 2.1 came out on October 6 and beats the previous version in all of Google's tests.
- A 1K image costs $0.0336: half the price of Nano Banana 2 and 4x cheaper than Nano Banana Pro.
- Up to 14 references, formats up to 8:1, up to 4K resolution, Google Search grounding.
- Available in Gemini, AI Studio, the API, AI Mode, Google Ads, Flow and Stitch.
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Sources: Google DeepMind model card, Gemini API docs, Gemini API pricing, Search Engine Roundtable.