Google Gemini has overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top-ranked app on the Apple App Store, driven by the viral Nano-Banana trend. The surge follows the popularity of the Ghibli-style image trend earlier this year.
The Nano-Banana feature in Gemini allows users to turn photos into hyper-realistic 3D figurine-style portraits. Users can preserve facial features, include pets, adjust clothing, change backgrounds, and blend multiple images, all while maintaining a consistent, polished look. Google says the feature is free and accessible to all users through the Gemini app.
ChatGPT’s Ghibli-style images, by contrast, focus on artistic transformation, turning photos into soft, hand-drawn, anime-inspired illustrations. While both trends gained attention online, the Nano-Banana trend has generated a wider surge, appealing to users seeking realistic, collectible-style portraits.
The craze has attracted participation beyond social media enthusiasts. Politicians, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, have also shared their 3D figurine images.
To create a Nano-Banana image, users launch the Gemini app, upload a photo, and enter a detailed prompt specifying the 3D figurine style, setting, and background. The app then generates the image within moments, with options to refine the result if needed.
The viral trend highlights the growing popularity of AI-powered image editing tools and their ability to engage a broad audience with creative, shareable content.
