Nano Banana AI: Google's Image Generator, Editor, and Restorer (2026)

Google's Nano Banana models are among the most capable AI image models available today, and they sit at the heart of Upsampler. Nano Banana 2 is the default image generation model on the platform. Nano Banana Pro is the default restoration model. When the system needs to recommend a single model for the job, it picks Nano Banana.

What makes these models special is not just generation quality - it is the breadth of capabilities. The Nano Banana family spans image generation, image editing with full inpainting and outpainting support, and image restoration with face enhancement. Almost no other platform exposes the inpainting and outpainting capabilities of these models. On most services, you can only use Nano Banana for generation. On Upsampler, you get the complete feature set.

This guide covers all three Nano Banana models, their capabilities across every tool, and how to get the most out of them.

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The Nano Banana Family

Nano Banana - The Original (4 Credits)

The original Nano Banana model offers strong prompt adherence with reference image support. It handles single-image generation and basic editing well, and remains a solid budget option within the family.

• Generation: 4-star rating, reference image support
• Editing: 4-star rating, prompt-based editing only (no inpainting/outpainting)
• Restoration: 3-star rating, 7 credits, supports prompt guidance and face enhancement

Nano Banana 2 - The Default Generator (11 Credits)

Nano Banana 2 is the default generation model on Upsampler, and for good reason. It represents a major leap over the original with multi-image reference support, web search grounding, and output resolutions up to 4K. The 5-star rating reflects its position as one of the most capable generation models available.

In editing mode, NB2 unlocks the full capability set: prompt-based editing, inpainting, and outpainting. This means you can use masks to selectively regenerate parts of an image or extend the image beyond its original boundaries. Edit resolutions include 1376x768, 768x1376, and 1024x1024.

• Generation: 5-star rating, multi-image references, web search grounding, up to 4K
• Editing: 5-star rating, supports prompt editing + inpainting + outpainting
• Restoration: 5-star rating, 14 credits, prompt guidance and face enhancement

Nano Banana Pro - The Premium Tier (15 Credits)

Nano Banana Pro is the default restoration model on Upsampler and the most capable model in the family. It delivers state-of-the-art quality across all three tools, with reference image support in generation and full inpainting/outpainting capabilities in editing.

• Generation: 5-star rating, state-of-the-art with reference images
• Editing: 5-star rating, supports prompt editing + inpainting + outpainting
• Restoration: 5-star rating, 18 credits, prompt guidance and face enhancement

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Why Nano Banana's Inpainting and Outpainting Matters

Most platforms that offer Google's image models restrict them to generation only. You type a prompt, get an image, and that is it. If you want to edit a specific area, extend the canvas, or remove an object, you need a completely different tool.

Upsampler is one of the few platforms that exposes the full editing capabilities of Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro, including:

• Inpainting: Draw a mask over any area of your image and regenerate just that region. Remove unwanted objects, fix artifacts, replace elements, or add new content that blends seamlessly with the surrounding image.
• Outpainting: Extend the image beyond its original borders. Convert a portrait to landscape, add environment context, create bleed areas for print, or simply give your composition more breathing room.

This is a genuine differentiator. Try it yourself in the Image Edit tool with Nano Banana 2 or Nano Banana Pro (the Free AI Image Editor uses a fixed Qwen workflow and does not include Nano Banana).

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Nano Banana for Image Generation

The generation capabilities follow a clear quality ladder:

Web Search Grounding (NB2)

Nano Banana 2 has a unique feature: web search grounding. The model can reference real-world information when generating images, which improves accuracy for prompts involving real places, objects, brands, or people. If you ask for a specific architectural style or a real landmark, the web grounding helps the model produce more accurate results.

Multi-Image References (NB2 and NB Pro)

Both NB2 and NB Pro support multiple reference images. Upload several images alongside your text prompt to guide the generation toward a specific style, color palette, or compositional approach. This is particularly useful for maintaining visual consistency across a series of images.

Try Upsampler free on the Free AI Image Generator (Z-Image, Wan, Qwen Image, Flux 2 Klein - not Nano Banana), then use Nano Banana in the dashboard with credits.

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Nano Banana for Image Editing

This is where the Nano Banana family truly shines on Upsampler.

Prompt Editing (All Models)

All three models support text-guided editing. Upload an image, describe the changes you want, and the model applies them. The original Nano Banana uses a reference-first image ordering, meaning your reference image takes priority in guiding the output.

Inpainting (NB2 and NB Pro)

Draw a mask over the area you want to change, write a prompt describing the replacement content, and the model generates new content that blends with the surrounding image. Use cases include:

• Removing photobombers or unwanted objects
• Fixing AI-generated artifacts (hands, faces, textures)
• Adding new elements (accessories, objects, background elements)
• Replacing specific parts of a scene

Outpainting (NB2 and NB Pro)

Extend your image in any direction. The model generates new content that matches the style, lighting, and composition of the original. Perfect for:

• Changing aspect ratios without cropping
• Adding environment context to tight compositions
• Creating panoramic extensions
• Building bleed areas for print production

Try inpainting and outpainting with Nano Banana 2 or Nano Banana Pro in the Image Edit tool.

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Nano Banana for Image Restoration

Nano Banana Pro is the default restoration model - the model Upsampler recommends first for repairing and enhancing old or damaged photos.

All three models support:

• Prompt guidance: Describe what the restored image should look like to guide the AI's decisions
• Face enhancement: Specialized processing for facial features, critical for portrait restoration

The default restoration mode is repair and colorize, which simultaneously fixes damage and adds realistic color to black-and-white photographs. For photos that are already in color, the model focuses on repairing artifacts, enhancing clarity, and improving overall quality.

After restoration, upscale the result to print-ready resolution for the complete restoration workflow.

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Complete Nano Banana Workflow

Here is how to use the full Nano Banana pipeline on Upsampler:

1. Generate a base image with Nano Banana 2 in the Image Generator
2. Edit specific areas with NB2 or NB Pro inpainting in the Image Editor - fix hands, swap elements, extend canvas
3. Restore if the image needs enhancement or if working with existing photos in the Image Restorer
4. Upscale the final result with the Free AI Upscaler for print or high-resolution display
5. Remove backgrounds if needed with the Free Background Remover

Every step stays within the Google AI ecosystem, ensuring stylistic consistency throughout.

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Nano Banana vs. Other Top Models

Nano Banana 2 is the most versatile single model on the platform - the only one that combines top-tier generation with inpainting, outpainting, restoration, and web search grounding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Nano Banana models for free?

Nano Banana uses credits in the dashboard - it is not on the no-signup Free AI Image Generator or Free AI Image Editor pages. You can still try those free pages first, then open Nano Banana when you add credits. No subscription required - one-time credits are available and never expire.

What is web search grounding?

Web search grounding means Nano Banana 2 can reference real-world information when generating images. This improves accuracy for prompts involving real locations, objects, or styles that benefit from factual knowledge.

Which Nano Banana model should I choose?

For most users, Nano Banana 2 (11 credits) offers the best balance of features and cost. Use Nano Banana (4 credits) for budget-conscious work, and Nano Banana Pro (15 credits) when you need the absolute highest quality.

Can I inpaint with the original Nano Banana?

No. Inpainting and outpainting are only available with Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro. The original Nano Banana supports prompt-based editing only.

How does Nano Banana compare to Midjourney?

Nano Banana 2 and Pro produce comparable quality to Midjourney with several advantages: inpainting and outpainting support, web search grounding, multi-image references, and pay-per-use pricing instead of a monthly subscription.

Can I restore old photos with Nano Banana?

Yes. Nano Banana Pro is the default restoration model on Upsampler. It repairs damage, enhances detail, and adds color to black-and-white photos. Use it in the Image Restoration tool.

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Start Using Nano Banana AI Today

Google's Nano Banana models offer an unmatched combination of generation quality, editing versatility, and restoration capability - all accessible on Upsampler without a Google Cloud account or API setup.

Try Upsampler with no signup on the Free AI Image Generator, then use Nano Banana for generation, editing, inpainting, outpainting, and restoration in the Upsampler dashboard.

Use Nano Banana in the dashboard - generation, editing, inpainting, outpainting, and restoration in one family.