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AI & Machine Learning

Google's AI Image Generator Perceived to Have Regressed in Quality

WireByte Staff · August 5, 2026

Google's AI image generator, Nano Banana 2, has been criticized for a perceived decline in image quality, with users on Reddit complaining that images now appear 'flat or cartoonish'. The issue has been ongoing since at least May, with Google releasing an update to its Gemini app in July but not addressing the image generator.

Key points

  • Users on Reddit have reported a perceived decline in image quality from Google's AI image generator, Nano Banana 2.
  • Complaints about the issue date back to May, with the most recent update to the Gemini app in July not addressing the image generator.
  • Google released a new image model, Nano Banana 2 Lite, in July, but its impact on image quality is unclear.
  • The issue has sparked debate among users, with some accusing Google of intentionally lowering the model's performance.

Google's AI image generator, Nano Banana 2, has been a popular tool for users looking to create high-quality images. However, a recent trend on Reddit suggests that the tool's image quality has regressed, with users complaining that images now appear 'flat or cartoonish'. The issue has been ongoing since at least May, with complaints dating back to a Reddit thread from that time.

The most recent update to the Gemini app in July did not address the image generator, leading some users to accuse Google of intentionally lowering the model's performance. However, it's worth noting that the last update to Nano Banana 2 was in February, and there has been no public announcement of a change.

Google has released a new image model, Nano Banana 2 Lite, in July, but its impact on image quality is unclear. The company has not made any official statements about the issue, leaving users to speculate about the cause and potential solutions.

The perceived decline in image quality has sparked debate among users, with some calling for Google to address the issue and others defending the tool's capabilities. As the situation continues to unfold, it's unclear what the future holds for Google's AI image generator.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.