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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 1.5 vs. MAI-Image-2.5

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

11

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for GPT Image 1.5 and MAI-Image-2.5
AttributeGPT Image 1.5MAI-Image-2.5
ProviderOpenAIMicrosoft AI
ReleasedDecember 2025June 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleMarked as deprecated by OpenAI Status sourcePreview in Microsoft Foundry Status source
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot published20 billion
Maximum output1,536 × 1,024 pixels1,048,576 pixels
Arena configurationHighNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$133 per 1,000 images$48.1 per 1,000 images
Editing price$133 per 1,000 images$48.1 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
GPT Image 1.5MAI-Image-2.5
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 1.5$133
MAI-Image-2.5$48.1Lower price
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 1.5$133
MAI-Image-2.5$48.1Lower price

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

11 shared result series
GPT Image 1.5MAI-Image-2.5
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,313 EloNo clear arena lead
MAI-Image-2.51,310 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,252 Elo
MAI-Image-2.51,257 EloNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,215.437 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,246.107 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,223.911 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,277.636 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,243.08 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,270.066 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,240.908 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,260.487 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,238.658 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,256.13 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,248.785 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,253.013 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,261.416 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
MAI-Image-2.51,259.199 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,254.593 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,282.791 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,370.09 arena points
MAI-Image-2.51,401.879 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 1.5 and MAI-Image-2.5
BenchmarkGPT Image 1.5MAI-Image-2.5Source
Text to Image Arena
1,313 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 13,184 ratings
1,310 Elo
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,529 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,252 Elo
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 11,551 ratings
1,257 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 11,229 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,215.437 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±6.83, 14,763 ratings
1,246.107 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9.6, 4,252 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,223.911 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±6.08, 19,937 ratings
1,277.636 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8.37, 6,571 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,243.08 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.87, 55,661 ratings
1,270.066 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.37, 17,440 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,240.908 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.72, 55,926 ratings
1,260.487 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,261 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,238.658 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±3.36, 142,427 ratings
1,256.13 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±4.57, 44,940 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,248.785 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±4.83, 57,631 ratings
1,253.013 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,468 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,261.416 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±5.95, 28,153 ratings
1,259.199 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±7.61, 8,541 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,254.593 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.98, 51,503 ratings
1,282.791 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.6, 15,799 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,370.09 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±3.09, 516,635 ratings
1,401.879 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±3.85, 155,115 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

GPT Image 1.5, Character and detail
GPT Image 1.5
MAI-Image-2.5, Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:17 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.5. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048508, model ID microsoft/mai-image-2.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 0dff52ccd39400ac66ac8870c9ea937512ff1474688e70118688f420c38c2296

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 5199631ac6ff07633dd2fb6ab61c918c26e1e02f37e6131828072233ac04527d

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: 40fc54cbcee64f9045c44e702e013b649a0d8bbd7f8e2390d839bc38ee183b90

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 1.5, Infographic
GPT Image 1.5
MAI-Image-2.5, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:17 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.5. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048538, model ID microsoft/mai-image-2.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 1c9ff59c32621c8b48b002dacb0ae66487262280c7c0a5b3d6456c81b248ebe9

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 7f1efc9531f1e6bed7d61a11c637add9fd892001aea2bb2781f8d89c79a2eb03

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: bbedc701e9933a8d6ed0fbb2a6fbb7214214fad9d32d9ae80a114a7254a0bcf1

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 1.5, Product photography
GPT Image 1.5
MAI-Image-2.5, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:16 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.5. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048513, model ID microsoft/mai-image-2.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:25 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 67cfa2f324447027ceb5f82e9446d40a1395b46ce425890a74606b4d97731cf6

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: c850843a298631a4076c5d2686de8e9d7223534f2b8ca53505f437862718bef9

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: 071e156eeb3e65e6744b7c6b675ffcb32b551dcfc1033a55e30e9561c0bd78a9

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 1.5, Typography and layout
GPT Image 1.5
MAI-Image-2.5, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5
Prompt and settings

Create 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.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.5. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048473, model ID microsoft/mai-image-2.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:03 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 6a4cec86850fd371b65274198e2bf630b3cf36a096f9fb953d4bfe17c3222ebe

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 9c3a396aecfcaae3f8a25edbe5c8c44d0d33199d7ba29efda864d2b0221c3250

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: f14577273bd6b0980f49e13988b01555bb55dc824317b201b5fab3d2ef72e666

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

More matchups

Related image model comparisons

Compare GPT Image 1.5 and MAI-Image-2.5 with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison