Nano Banana is here: Think Nano, Go Red, the Next Level in image generation

Yesterday was a day to joke about the “Think Yellow, Go Red” gimmick. It was a nod to Red Banana, our creative agency. Today, we’re in serious mode because our friends at Google have launched Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, internally codenamed Nano Banana. It’s an image model that combines image generation and editing into a single flow. That might sound like “another image tool,” which is fine, but this feels distinctly different. For me, this is version 1.0 of an entirely new standard. A new beginning of something that never ends, and even thinking about it seems rather pointless. But you have to.

What is Nano Banana or Gemini 2.5 Flash Image

A new image model in the Gemini family that:

• An AI model that can merge multiple images into one coherent image (multi-image fusion).
• Character and style consistency is maintained across scenes.
• Perform targeted local edits with plain language, such as “blur the background” or “remove the person on the left. “Now widely used by many is ‘change the color of my t-shirt.” Talk about a no-brainer.
• World knowledge used for more meaningful, less ‘dumb’ edits (that statement is from Google).
• SynthID watermarking is added to every output and is available in Gemini (app and AI Studio) and via Vertex AI.

Nano Banana seems free, but it certainly isn’t

Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, affectionately called Nano Banana, feels free because you can create images immediately in the Gemini app without paying. That’s all great and fun if you want to experiment with it, and it’s perfectly fine to play around with. But if you want to use it professionally with more and larger, high-quality images and, for example, want to integrate with Photoshop, you’ll end up in the paid tier of Nano Banana. Ultimately, these are just the usual operating costs, like hosting or advertising budgets.

Everything you create gets an invisible watermark by default and goes through a series of security filters. This also applies to the free version. In practice, the free version is ideal for exploring ideas, but you’ll need the paid version if you want to run serious campaigns.

If you’re deeply impressed by what you can do with it, create one visual in the free app today and the same one in the paid version. Then compare the time, quality, and cost, and choose your default tier. You’ll still need to consider your budget, check the watermark and Google policies, and ensure the output has the right style that suits your brand. I definitely wouldn’t recommend settling too quickly. This way, it stays manageable and affordable, and you get the most out of Nano Banana without too many surprises.

Why is Nano Banana so different from just another image generator?

The innovation of Nano Banana isn’t the phenomenon of even more beautiful images, but the workflow. You can now go directly from a simple prompt to a single, consistent image. With previous tools, this wasn’t possible, and every command you gave would cheerfully result in a completely different image. The advantage now is that the model automatically and consistently retains characters and products, ensuring that campaigns with a fixed mascot or product line remain consistent. From image to every new image, and that’s incredible considering the output.

There are business assurances for brands like built-in security filters, privacy policies, and SynthID watermarking. That complete package makes all the difference. It’s recommended that you read Google’s explanation on their Developers Blog.

Is Photoshop worried or relieved?

Headlines like “hotoshop is on edge” are understandable, primarily if Gemini’s rendering and advanced editing work perfectly. In that case, Adobe must continue adding value in this post-AI era. We’re now entering a phase where AI is no longer a novelty but is almost becoming a basic infrastructure, like electricity or the internet. The question is no longer whether you’re already working with AI but how cleverly you can integrate AI into your daily workflow.

Adobe’s initial reaction is quite clever, as tech sites already boast that Firefly and Express are now integrating Gemini 2.5 Flash Image. This amounts to embracing the best model available outside your home and claiming victory in workflow, brand standards, licensing, and distribution. Rest assured, Photoshop is on the ball, and we have long been aware of the arrival of the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image.

Is Nana Banana a game-changer?

That could be the case if you know how to use it correctly. Use it strategically, not for individual images, but for series. Thanks to its consistent character and style, you can easily make campaigns, tutorials, and product variations scalable and recognizable. Take rights and security seriously and carefully consider the restrictions around generating people (such as no photorealistic public figures) and watermarks like SynthID that mark AI work.

Create a brand library, work with consistent prompts, incorporate check-ins, and keep your data neat. If you don’t do all this, it’s just a tinkering exercise—certainly not a game changer, but a gimmick to play with.

Conclusion

Nano Banana is undoubtedly not a gimmick. It’s the first mature generative-plus editor that’s enterprise-savvy. That means AI output and the necessary guardrails to make it safe, repeatable, and affordable at scale. Just make sure you have a strict review process. Then AI is not only fun, but also enterprise-ready. Whether you’re creating unconventional art or developing campaigns, your mind wins, and Nano Banana helps. Think Nano, Go Red—it’s still fun.