Google Gemini has officially overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT to claim the No. 1 spot on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The surge in popularity is driven by the viral Nano-Banana AI trend, a quirky yet addictive image-editing feature that’s taking over social media.
What is the Nano-Banana AI trend?
The Nano-Banana trend transforms ordinary user photos into hyper-detailed 3D figurine-style portraits, complete with acrylic bases and toy-like packaging. The effect mirrors collectible action figures, and the internet can’t get enough.
The trend has exploded across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), with celebrities like Sonam Bajwa and Rakesh Roshan, along with politicians such as Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Goa CM Pramod Sawant, all sharing their Nano-Banana avatars.
Google Gemini tops the charts
When TOI Tech reviewed the “Top Apps” section on both platforms, Google Gemini was ranked first, followed by Threads and ChatGPT. Just a few months ago, ChatGPT led app rankings during its viral Ghibli-style image generation wave. Now, Gemini has flipped the script with its Nano-Banana craze.
Google confirmed that the Nano-Banana feature is free for all users inside the Gemini app. The company is also encouraging people to share their figurine-style portraits online, with standout creations set to be highlighted by Google itself.
How to join the Nano-Banana trend
Want your own figurine-style portrait? It’s simple:
- Open the Google Gemini app (or Google AI Studio).
- Upload a solo photo of yourself.
- Paste the viral Nano-Banana prompt (e.g., “Create a 1/7 scale commercialised figurine…”).
- Hit Generate and wait for the 3D render.
- Refine or re-edit until you’re happy with the result.
With its blend of fun, creativity, and social media buzz, the Nano-Banana trend has propelled Gemini to the top — proving once again how fast AI-driven trends can reshape the app world.
