Sep 15, 2025
Google Gemini has surged to the top of app rankings on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, surpassing OpenAI’s widely popular ChatGPT. This significant milestone is largely attributed to the app’s Nano-Banana AI feature, which has taken social media by storm.
The Nano-Banana trend fuels Google Gemini’s success
The Nano-Banana trend, powered by Google Gemini’s AI, has gone viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. This feature allows users to transform their photos into hyper-detailed, 3D figurine-style portraits. These AI-generated images, which resemble collectible toys with acrylic bases and stylized packaging, have captured the attention of celebrities and political figures alike. Notable personalities such as Sonam Bajwa, Rakesh Roshan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have embraced the trend by sharing their creations online.
A reversal in app store rankings
Google Gemini’s rise in popularity marks a shift in the app store rankings. A review of the "Top Apps" sections on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store shows Google Gemini holding the number one spot, followed by Threads and ChatGPT. This development is a reversal of earlier months when ChatGPT dominated the charts during its own viral Ghibli-style image generation phase.
Google has confirmed that the Nano-Banana feature is available for free within the Google Gemini app. The company has also encouraged users to share their creations, promising to feature standout submissions from the community.
How to join the Nano-Banana AI trend
Creating your own 3D figurine with the Nano-Banana feature is simple. Users can follow these steps:
Open the Google Gemini app or Google AI Studio.
Upload a solo photo.
Paste a viral prompt, such as "Create a 1/7 scale commercialized figurine...".
Generate the image and wait for the result.
Refine or re-edit as needed.
With its innovative features and viral appeal, Google Gemini has firmly established itself as a leading player in the AI app space, overtaking its competitors in both popularity and user engagement.
