ByteDance Launches Powerful AI Image Generator ‘Shadream 4.0’ That Outperforms Gemini 2.5 Flash

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) image generator that delivers highly realistic visuals, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between real and AI-generated images.

The new model, named Shadream 4.0, has been praised for its advanced capabilities in text-to-image generation and image editing. According to the analytics firm Artificial Analysis, Shadream 4.0 outperforms Google’s latest image generator, Gemini 2.5 Flash (also known as Nano Banana), and several other competing models.

Currently, Shadream 4.0 is available on AI platforms such as fal.ai, Replicate, and ByteDance’s own platform. The cost for generating 1,000 images using the tool is set at $30.

ByteDance claims the new model is 10 times faster than its predecessor and capable of producing images in 4K resolution. Users can also edit images with written prompts — removing objects or adjusting lighting with ease.

Some of the images generated by Shadream 4.0 were recently shared by a user on Reddit, showcasing the tool’s ability to create visuals so lifelike that they are nearly indistinguishable from real photographs.

ByteDance maintains that Shadream 4.0 is a significant advancement in AI image generation, with the potential to surpass even Google’s most recent offerings in speed and quality.

Read More: Judicial System Being Made More Effective Through Technology: Chief Justice Yahya Afridi