Google expands AI portfolio with cheaper image and video models

On Tuesday, Google released Nano Banana 2 Lite, a new image generator model designed specifically for high-volume workflows. According to Google, this model is significantly faster and more affordable than its previous release. The company claims that the model features lower latency and can produce images in four seconds, making it a practical option for developers and creators who need to workshop images and generate a large volume of content in quick succession. Google now refers to the original Nano Banana as its “legacy model,” replacing it with this new version optimized for rapid pace and scale. The release represents an effort by the company to support developers looking to draft and perfect their content at scale.

The performance and pricing specifications for the new model include:

• Latency: The model can produce images in four seconds.
• Pricing: It costs $0.034 per 1,000 images.

Alongside the image generator, Google announced a wider release of Gemini Omni Flash, which is a video model. Gemini Omni Flash costs $0.10 per second of video output. To demonstrate how these models can work together, Google also introduced Omni Product Studio, a new demo application designed to transform static images into cinematic e-commerce videos. According to Google, the combination of these tools allows developers to build integrated workflows. “With these two models, developers can build comprehensive, end-to-end multimedia experiences that connect rapid image generation with video creation and editing,” the company stated.

The releases come as technology companies continue to invest heavily in generative media, despite ongoing consumer backlash over “so-called AI slop” produced by image models. To deepen its footprint in the creative sector, Google has struck a $75 million deal with the indie studio A24. The partnership has faced criticism from some audiences and creative communities concerned about the tightening ties between artificial intelligence developers and traditional entertainment studios. Google has positioned these tools as aids for creative professionals rather than replacements, noting that working with generative media is frequently a process of creative iteration. While some audiences have expressed concern over these developments, tech companies continue to deploy tools aimed at assisting with commercial content creation.

Why it matters

Google is scaling its generative AI infrastructure to capture high-volume enterprise and creative workflows, balancing aggressive pricing with the ongoing tension between AI adoption and creative industry pushback.