Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 reaches general availability; Flash Image is deprecated

Google marked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 generally available on October 6, 2026. Its Gemini API model ID is gemini-nano-banana-2.1. Google describes it as a high-efficiency image-generation and conversational-editing model that maintains Flash-level speed and cost efficiency while improving visual quality, prompt adherence, character consistency, text rendering, and panoramic aspect ratios. (https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/changelog; https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1)

Image generation and editing capabilities

Google’s model page lists text, image, video, and PDF inputs, with image and text output. It supports 1K, 2K, and 4K image output, web and image search grounding, and configurable Thinking levels. The page also describes multi-image fusion with up to 14 reference images, including character consistency for up to four characters and object fidelity for up to ten objects. Check the current model page for supported request parameters and feature limits before migrating an application. (https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1)

Deprecation and migration note

The same October 6 API changelog entry deprecates gemini-3.1-flash-image and recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 as its replacement. Google has not announced a shutdown date for the deprecated model. Teams should test image quality, prompt adherence, resolution, and editing behavior with the new model before changing production requests; do not infer an immediate shutdown from the deprecation notice. (https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/changelog; https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-3.1-flash-image)

Sources

• Google AI for Developers — Gemini API changelog (October 6, 2026): https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/changelog
• Google AI for Developers — Gemini Nano Banana 2.1: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1
• Google AI for Developers — Gemini 3.1 Flash Image: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-3.1-flash-image
• Google for Developers on X — official developer updates: https://x.com/googledevs