The free feature, accessible interface, and advanced AI capabilities contribute to its widespread popularity among users and content creators
Google’s Gemini app has claimed the #1 spot on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, riding the wave of viral popularity generated by its latest AI image editing feature known as “Nano Banana.” Since its rollout in late August, the Nano Banana feature has captivated millions by transforming ordinary photos into highly detailed, 3D-style figurine portraits, sparking a global social media craze.
What is the Nano Banana Feature?
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The Nano Banana feature, developed by Google DeepMind and integrated into Gemini, allows users to generate and edit hyper-realistic 3D images with creative prompts. For example, users can create miniature figurines of themselves, pets, or objects styled as collectable toys, complete with stylised acrylic bases and packaging. This innovative capability gives users more control to blend multiple photos, alter scenes while preserving details, and even simulate scenarios such as childhood tea parties or video game characters.
Viral Trend and User Adoption
The viral trend has seen over 23 million new downloads of the Gemini app worldwide in just a few weeks, with users generating over 500 million images using Nano Banana. Celebrities, politicians, and influencers have all jumped on the trend, sharing their own 3D portraits on platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter). This surge has propelled Gemini ahead of rivals such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which previously dominated the app charts.
Features, Accessibility and Popularity
Google offers the Nano Banana feature free for users via Gemini, with a generous limit of up to 100 image generations daily for free-tier users and higher limits for paid subscribers. The app’s accessible interface and advanced AI capabilities make it popular among artists, content creators, and casual users alike.
Market Impact: Surpassing Major Competitors
Gemini has overtaken key rivals on app charts, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s Threads app. This marks a significant shift in the AI app market, as ChatGPT had long been the dominant free app. Gemini’s success comes amid competition with other AI chatbots like xAI’s Grok, with Gemini’s viral features and Google’s ecosystem integration contributing to its lead.
Expert Views and Future Outlook
Experts say the feature’s success lies in its blend of creative freedom, technical innovation, and social shareability, positioning Google’s Gemini as a formidable contender in the rapidly evolving AI chatbot and image generation market.
As the Nano Banana trend continues to grow, Google plans to leverage this momentum by expanding Gemini’s AI features and fostering a vibrant community of creators in the coming months.
Published: 15 Sept 2025, 12:50 pm IST
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