Perplexity and Comet have flipped the switch: Nano Banana Pro and Sora 2 Pro are now the default generation models across both platforms, instantly upgrading the creative horsepower available to millions of users.
The shift rolled out globally this week, initially appearing in posts and early user confirmations, without the usual barrage of release notes or corporate fanfare. Still, the impact is immediate — and loud.
This is the kind of behind-the-scenes model swap that usually happens in niche research tools. But Perplexity and Comet aren’t niche. They’re two of the fastest-moving consumer-facing AI assistants, and when they change the “default,” the ripple hits creators, developers, agencies, students — basically anyone leaning on AI to produce images, text, or multimodal content at speed.
Why This Matters
Nano Banana Pro — Google’s latest image-generation model built on top of Gemini 3 Pro — has been getting early-buzz for its sharper rendering, more cinematic lighting, and surprisingly consistent output across diverse prompts.
Sora 2 Pro, meanwhile, has been the more mysterious of the two: a next-gen multimodal model that early testers say delivers tighter reasoning, richer textures, and improved scene coherence.
By promoting both to default status, Perplexity and Comet are doing something bold:
They’re removing the “good enough” tier from everyday usage and forcing the industry to play at a higher level.
For power users, it’s a win. For casual users, it could be a warning shot — especially if free-tier quotas shrink or older fallback models get buried deeper behind paywalls.
A Quiet Rollout, a Loud Upgrade
The change surfaced through a chain of social posts — not polished press releases.
Perplexity users reported that Max-tier subscribers got the upgrade first, with no toggle required. Comet users noticed the same shift within hours.
This style of “silent push” isn’t unusual for high-velocity AI companies, but the timing is interesting: model quality is becoming a competitive differentiator, and platforms are racing to claim the “best-by-default” experience.
And in a market where output quality is a selling point, defaults matter.
The Industry Signal
Across Reddit, LinkedIn, X, and Discord communities, responses have been quick and polarized.
Nano Banana Pro and Sora 2 Pro are now the default generation models in Perplexity and Comet.
— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) November 22, 2025
Available for Perplexity Max subscribers. pic.twitter.com/LbyGarAsIK
Creators:
“This is huge. Finally seeing pro-level visuals by default.”
Skeptics:
“Better models usually mean stricter limits. I’m waiting for reduced free-tier access.”
Analysts:
“This is the AI equivalent of Apple switching to a better battery tech mid-cycle.”
The move also echoes a broader trend: AI companies raising the quality floor to stay competitive while quietly nudging users toward paid tiers. In other words, the free ride may get shorter.
What Users Should Expect Next
If you’re on Perplexity or Comet:
- Max-tier users: You already have access to the new models.
- Free or lower tiers: You may see quality differences, quota restrictions, or fallback behavior.
- Creators and agencies: Expect more consistent image quality, better detail, and fewer failed prompts.
This also sets the stage for other platforms — including Midjourney-powered apps, OpenAI-driven tools, and Anthropic-integrated products — to re-evaluate their own defaults. Nobody wants to feel outdated.
Conclusion
Perplexity and Comet’s switch to Nano Banana Pro and Sora 2 Pro isn’t just a backend upgrade — it’s a shot fired in the AI-tooling race.
The message is clear: baseline quality is going up for everyone.
The real question?
Will access follow — or fracture?
Either way, the default AI experience just got a major upgrade.