Google moves free Gemini to Flash-Lite and launches Nano Banana 2.1

One model left for free users

Google has confirmed that Gemini app users without a paid Google AI plan will now have access to only one of its three models. According to the company's Gemini Apps help page, free personal accounts are being moved to Gemini Flash-Lite.

That means free users lose access to two models they could previously use. The shift can be read as part of Google's push to highlight its paid subscription tiers.

Nano Banana 2.1 arrives

The model change came three days after Google announced Nano Banana 2.1, a new image model built on Gemini 3.6 Flash.

According to Google, Nano Banana 2.1 produces better images while lowering cost. The company shared further details and subscriber-only features in its announcement.

What changes for users?

• Free accounts: Gemini Flash-Lite only.
• Paid Google AI plans: access to additional models continues.
• Image generation: Nano Banana 2.1, the new version based on Gemini 3.6 Flash.

Google lays out the full scope of the change and paid-plan details on its own announcement page.