Google might be prepping a ‘Banana 2 Flash’ model for Gemini

Google has always had a weird history when it comes to naming conventions (remember Android’s sweet flavours?). But it appears they aren’t done just yet.

A new report suggests the tech giant is finalising a new entry for its AI lineup, specifically Gemini Nano Banana 2 Flash. “Flash” is the keyword that Google uses for its lighter AI models as a reference to their ability to generate responses – or in this case, images – in a jiffy.

Cheaper, faster image generator could be coming soon

However, as if the “Banana” in the name wasn’t enough of an edible allusion already, this model is apparently called “Mayo” internally. The information comes from a leaker who goes by the handle MarsEverythingTech.

According to the leak, hidden references to “Mayo” were recently spotted in the Gemini web code. It matches up with the Pro version of Nano Banana 2, which was allegedly dubbed “Ketchup” by the engineering team.

The big news here is efficiency. Sample outputs were analysed by the leaker, and they claim the quality is nearly identical to the Pro tier. That matters because “Flash” models are usually the lightweight, budget-friendly options meant to run fast rather than think deep.

If this can actually match the Pro performance, it effectively lets Google scale the tech to way more people without burning through server cash. Basically, this allows the company to balance quality with cost.

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That said, since the information isn’t exactly coming from a confirmed press briefing, it should be viewed with a healthy dose of scepticism.

Still, if accurate, this aligns perfectly with what we have seen lately. The goal is to get Gemini into as many hands as possible. By swapping in a cheaper-to-run model that still feels premium, this can be deployed to high-volume users or organisations without the massive price tag.

Code drops like this are often done just weeks before a launch. If the timeline holds up, an official reveal could be expected before the end of December.