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  1. Home/
  2. Compare/
  3. Imagen 4 vs Nano Banana 2
Updated Feb 2026

Imagen 4 vs Nano Banana 2

Nano Banana 2 is the newer model, released after Imagen 4.

Hyperrealistic Portrait

One prompt, one photorealistic portrait. Skin, eyes, light.

Loading the build
Imagen 4
Loading the build
Nano Banana 2

Which answer wins?

Price and specs

Imagen 4 and Nano Banana 2 compared across 16 shared prompts
SpecImagen 4Nano Banana 2
Weights—Closed
Free API (OpenRouter)—No
ReleasedMay 2025Feb 2026
Where to run it2 hosts
Imagen 4

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Nano Banana 22 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Google Vertex AI$0.50 in·$3.00 out·131k·100% up
  • Google AI Studio$0.50 in·$3.00 out·66k·99.1% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between Imagen 4 and Nano Banana 2?

Both are developed by Google AI but target different use cases. You can compare their actual outputs across 16 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, Imagen 4 or Nano Banana 2?

It depends on your use case. Imagen 4 and Nano Banana 2 each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 16 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How can I compare Imagen 4 and Nano Banana 2 on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Imagen 4 and Nano Banana 2 across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

More comparisons

Against the newest arrivals

  • Imagen 4 vs Hy Image 3.5 PreviewLanded Oct 2026
  • Nano Banana 2 vs FLUX.3 ImageLanded Oct 2026
  • Imagen 4 vs Nano Banana 2.1Landed Oct 2026
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Recraft V4.1 FlashLanded Sep 2026
  • Imagen 4 vs GPT Image 2.5 SunburstLanded Sep 2026
  • Nano Banana 2 vs GPT Image 2.5 FlareLanded Sep 2026
  • Imagen 4 vs Nano Banana 2 LiteLanded Jun 2026
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Riverflow V2.5 FastLanded Jun 2026

Same lab, same size, long tail

  • Imagen 4 vs FLUX.3 ImageSame size
  • Imagen 4 vs Recraft V4.1 FlashSame size
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana 2.1Same lab
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana 2 LiteSame lab
  • Imagen 4 vs MiniMax Image-01Same size
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Nano BananaSame lab
  • Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana ProSame lab
  • Nano Banana 2 vs P-ImageSame size

Model pages

  • Imagen 417 outputs, specs and price
  • Nano Banana 218 outputs, specs and price
Workshop · 150 skills

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Rival
How it worksPrivacyTerms
Explore all of Rival

Explore

  • Compare models
  • All models
  • Image comparison
  • Audio comparison
  • Image generation
  • Best AI for...
  • Arena
  • API pricing
  • Challenges

Discover

  • SubjectiveBench
  • Default Index
  • Research
  • Research downloads
  • Rival Kits
  • Find your AI taste
  • UI Glow-Up
  • VoiceLock
  • Cost Cutter
  • Agent skills
  • Benchmarks vs Vibes
  • Brief
  • Jailbreak
  • Model updates
  • Provider status
  • AI creators

Connect

  • Methodology
  • Advertise
  • Partnerships
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • RSS feed