Updated November 6, 2026

Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.6: the same 48 photos, side by side

Quick answer

Both models handled most of our 48 edits, and GPT Image 2.6 took a median of 20 seconds per 1K image against about 25 for Nano Banana 2.1. GPT Image 2.6 went further on some briefs: it laid a TV remote next to a wallet in a flat lay, and it removed nearly every wrinkle from a shirt. It also did more than we asked: it zoomed in on an old photo, flattened a fabric's weave, and printed real brand names in three images (blurred here). You can run both on YepShot: at standard quality GPT Image 2.6 costs 6 credits per 1K edit, the same as Nano Banana 2.1 at 6.

Try both in the editor Copy the 48 prompts What changed in GPT Image 2.6 Make a GIF with it Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5

Speed and settings

What we measured, and what YepShot runs today.

Speed: GPT Image 2.6 took a median of 20 seconds per 1K edit across these 48 runs (13 to 25). Nano Banana 2.1 took about 25 seconds when we timed it on October 9. The runs were on different days, so read it as similar, perhaps a little quicker.
Output size at 1K: A square photo comes back at 1,024 × 1,024 and a 4:3 photo at 1,184 × 880 from GPT Image 2.6, the same sizes GPT Image 2.5 returned. Nano Banana 2.1 returns 1,200 × 896 for 4:3.
Credits on YepShot: At 1K, Nano Banana 2.1 costs 6 credits per edit. GPT Image 2.6 costs 6 at standard, 6 at high and 21 at max; GPT Image 2.5 costs 3 at standard. 2.6 at standard costs about twice what 2.5 does because its medium quality uses more tokens. GPT Image 2.6 can also turn a photo into a looping GIF for 7 credits.
Which version we ran: GPT Image 2.6 comes in two variants, Flare and Sunburst. YepShot runs Flare, and so did we, at medium quality, which is what YepShot calls standard for GPT Image. We did not run the high and max levels. Sunburst we later ran on 10 of these photos; the Flare vs Sunburst results are on the GPT Image 2.6 page.

How we tested

We took the 48 prompts in YepShot's Explore library and ran each one on both models from the same source photo, with the prompt word for word and aspect ratio auto at 1K. Nano Banana 2.1 ran on October 10, 2026 (October 14 for the three text prompts) at its default settings. GPT Image 2.6 ran on November 6, 2026 through fal.ai, Flare variant, medium quality. For the 8 prompts that edit a brushed area, the mask was drawn automatically on each run and sent as a guide image with an instruction to edit only inside it, the same way for both models, so it can differ slightly between them. We did not use GPT Image 2.6's new markup layer. Each model ran once per prompt, so treat any single difference as an example rather than a benchmark.

GPT Image 2.6 printed real brand names in three results: the titles of two real books on the sideboard in the living room scene, the logo of a real toy maker on the collectible figure's box, and the logo on a headset in the gaming desk scene. We blurred each one. Those three are the only images on this page we altered. Check scene photos for real brand names before you use them in a listing.

The clearest differences

Most pairs are close. These five show the differences we could see without zooming in.

Smooth Out Fabric Wrinkles: original photo — GPT Image 2.6 ironed the shirt flat, and changed the fabric
The prompt asks to smooth the creases while keeping the woven texture and color. Nano Banana 2.1 softened the creases but left many visible. GPT Image 2.6 removed nearly all of them, and the linen weave came out smoother and the blue slightly more saturated than the original.
Prompt: Smooth Out Fabric Wrinkles

Smooth Out Fabric Wrinkles: Nano Banana 2.1 result — GPT Image 2.6 ironed the shirt flat, and changed the fabric
The prompt asks to smooth the creases while keeping the woven texture and color. Nano Banana 2.1 softened the creases but left many visible. GPT Image 2.6 removed nearly all of them, and the linen weave came out smoother and the blue slightly more saturated than the original.
Prompt: Smooth Out Fabric Wrinkles

Overhead Flat Lay on Light Gray: original photo — Nano Banana 2.1 left out what wasn't the product
The original shows a wallet next to a TV remote on a couch. Asked for a flat lay of the product, Nano Banana 2.1 showed the wallet alone. GPT Image 2.6 laid the remote out next to it.
Prompt: Overhead Flat Lay on Light Gray

Overhead Flat Lay on Light Gray: Nano Banana 2.1 result — Nano Banana 2.1 left out what wasn't the product
The original shows a wallet next to a TV remote on a couch. Asked for a flat lay of the product, Nano Banana 2.1 showed the wallet alone. GPT Image 2.6 laid the remote out next to it.
Prompt: Overhead Flat Lay on Light Gray

Restore a Faded Old Photo: original photo — GPT Image 2.6 cropped the old photo
The prompt says to keep the original composition. Nano Banana 2.1 restored the whole print, including its white border. GPT Image 2.6 removed the border and the torn edge, and the picture came back zoomed in, with the couple larger in the frame and less of the street and building around them.
Prompt: Restore a Faded Old Photo

Restore a Faded Old Photo: Nano Banana 2.1 result — GPT Image 2.6 cropped the old photo
The prompt says to keep the original composition. Nano Banana 2.1 restored the whole print, including its white border. GPT Image 2.6 removed the border and the torn edge, and the picture came back zoomed in, with the couple larger in the frame and less of the street and building around them.
Prompt: Restore a Faded Old Photo

Bright Modern Living Room: original photo — GPT Image 2.6 added books with real titles
GPT Image 2.6 dressed the sideboard with two stacked books and a candle, and the spines read the titles of two real books (blurred here). Nano Banana 2.1 added two small stacks of books with no readable text.
Prompt: Bright Modern Living Room

Bright Modern Living Room: Nano Banana 2.1 result — GPT Image 2.6 added books with real titles
GPT Image 2.6 dressed the sideboard with two stacked books and a candle, and the spines read the titles of two real books (blurred here). Nano Banana 2.1 added two small stacks of books with no readable text.
Prompt: Bright Modern Living Room

Turn Your Pet into a Collectible Figure: original photo — GPT Image 2.6 wrote cleaner box text, and a real logo
Nano Banana 2.1's box reads "1/7 Scale collectible figure" but its logo is garbled lettering. GPT Image 2.6's box is clean throughout, with "1/7 Scale Pre-Painted Figure" and "Lovely Cat Collection", but it also printed a real toy maker's logo (blurred here) and invented credit lines nobody asked for.
Prompt: Turn Your Pet into a Collectible Figure

Turn Your Pet into a Collectible Figure: Nano Banana 2.1 result — GPT Image 2.6 wrote cleaner box text, and a real logo
Nano Banana 2.1's box reads "1/7 Scale collectible figure" but its logo is garbled lettering. GPT Image 2.6's box is clean throughout, with "1/7 Scale Pre-Painted Figure" and "Lovely Cat Collection", but it also printed a real toy maker's logo (blurred here) and invented credit lines nobody asked for.
Prompt: Turn Your Pet into a Collectible Figure

All 48 results

Original, Nano Banana 2.1 and GPT Image 2.6 for every prompt. Click an image for the full 1K file, or a title for the prompt.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Nano Banana 2.1 or GPT Image 2.6?

Neither won across the board in our 48 tests, and most results were close. GPT Image 2.6 did more of what a brief asked for in some cases, such as the flat lay and the wrinkles. It also did more than we asked, by cropping an old photo, flattening a fabric's weave and adding real brand names. For a photo that matters, run the edit on both and keep the better result.

Is GPT Image 2.6 faster than Nano Banana 2.1?

Slightly, in our runs: a median of 20 seconds per 1K edit for GPT Image 2.6 against about 25 seconds for Nano Banana 2.1. The two were timed on different days, so treat the gap as small.

Can I edit still photos with GPT Image 2.6 on YepShot?

Yes. Pick GPT Image 2.6 in the editor's model list: 6 credits per 1K edit at standard quality, 6 at high and 21 at max. It can also turn a photo into a looping GIF for 7 credits.

Which one is cheaper?

At standard quality for a 1K edit they cost the same on YepShot: 6 credits for GPT Image 2.6 and 6 for Nano Banana 2.1. GPT Image 2.5 is the cheapest of the three at 3.

Does GPT Image 2.6 add brand names to pictures?

Sometimes. In three of our 48 results it printed a real brand: two book titles, a toy maker's logo and a headset logo. We blurred them on this page. If you use it for listings or ads, look for real names before you publish.

Do both keep text readable?

In our text tests, yes. Both changed the jar label to LAVENDER in matching lettering, both read 35% OFF on the sale banner, and both translated the tea box into Spanish. GPT Image 2.6 also translated the small "Quiet Hour" line at the top of the box ("Hora Tranquila"), which Nano Banana 2.1 left in English.

Did you test GPT Image 2.6 at high quality?

No. This page uses medium quality on the Flare variant, which is what YepShot calls standard for GPT Image. High costs 6 credits at 1K, the same as on GPT Image 2.5, and may close some of the gaps; we have not run it on these photos. We ran the Sunburst variant on 10 of them, shown on the GPT Image 2.6 page.

Quick answer

Speed and settings

How we tested

The clearest differences

GPT Image 2.6 ironed the shirt flat, and changed the fabric

Nano Banana 2.1 left out what wasn't the product

GPT Image 2.6 cropped the old photo

GPT Image 2.6 added books with real titles

GPT Image 2.6 wrote cleaner box text, and a real logo

All 48 results

Frequently asked questions