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FLUX.2 Flexvs.MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. MAI-Image-2.6 Flash has no arena rating yet. FLUX.2 Flex costs 3.1 times as much per image.

Test images

Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.

FLUX.2 Flex: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
FLUX.2 Flex98 out of 100
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash54 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:FLUX.2 Flex ahead

Prompt given to both modelsCreate a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

What the rating looks at: Legible text, hierarchy, and composition.

“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.

Test protocol of the images

Each test attempt uses the same archived prompt and one request. The first output of that attempt counts. Repeats after technical test failures are disclosed for the affected images. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier and prompt processing can still differ. The images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019587, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: d6f2280312404df55179b7cf7d03468df04541eae774cc8d2b35e40e0820f06f

Infographic

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019598, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 5c40f304b9dad1876a8d2223d22ca0e431ba9fe8a16e878a81743ac8296b6649

Product photography

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019589, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 64376f13e8626feb37db3c138dde381843866e7d58fb87e8076c2fa9003365e4

Typography and layout

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019575, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: be8d86a467f73abfce15cdcce3073acc257baf1c87112c2b53a64b36efde0804

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
1,156

FLUX.2 Flex

Rank 16 of 21

n/a

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
73

FLUX.2 Flex

Rank 11 of 108

67

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Rank 31 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
$0.06

FLUX.2 Flex

fairly cheap

$0.019

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

cheap

Ranks among the 21 image models with an arena rating and the 108 with a GraduallyBench run; prices compared with 28 models with an API price.

FLUX.2 Flex

Subscription
No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 26 plans in Germany.
Via API
$0.06 per image, 100 images $6.

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
$0.019 per image, 100 images $1.95.

Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.

Arena rating (LMArena) from Oct 28, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 3, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (38 days old)

All data side by side

The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.

KennzahlFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,156n/a
Arena rankRank 16 of 21n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating156,876n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1007367
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition9854
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details6390
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency7552
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization5774
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.06$0.019
100 images$6$1.95
Profile
ReleasedNovember 2025Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryproprietary
Lifecycleno noticePreview in Microsoft Foundry
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parametersnot publishednot published
Largest output4 Megapixel2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model26n/a

API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.

Sources: FLUX.2 Flex model source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · MAI-Image-2.6 Flash model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.

Arena rating per categoryfrom votes by users · higher is betterFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Text to Image ArenaFLUX.2 Flex: 1,026MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: 1,120MAI-Image-2.6 Flash ahead
Image Editing ArenaFLUX.2 Flex: 1,002MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: 1,145MAI-Image-2.6 Flash ahead

Artificial Analysis from Nov 3, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6 FlashSource
Text to Image Arena1,0261,120Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Image Editing Arena1,0021,145Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026

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Predecessor and successor

  • No predecessor recorded for FLUX.2 Flex
  • FLUX.2 Flex has no successor yet
  • No predecessor recorded for MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
  • MAI-Image-2.6 Flash has no successor yet