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GPT Image 2vs.MAI-Image-2.6

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. In the arena, GPT Image 2 leads. GPT Image 2 costs 5.4 times as much per image.

Test images

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

GPT Image 2: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
GPT Image 275 out of 100
MAI-Image-2.6: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.662 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:GPT Image 2 slightly 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

GPT Image 2: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039287, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

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

GPT Image 2 image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69

Infographic

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

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039317, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

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

GPT Image 2 image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef

Product photography

GPT Image 2: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039292, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

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

GPT Image 2 image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb

Typography and layout

GPT Image 2: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039252, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

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

GPT Image 2 image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
1,381

GPT Image 2

Rank 3 of 21

1,329

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 4 of 21

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

GPT Image 2

Rank 15 of 108

68

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 28 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
$0.21

GPT Image 2

expensive

$0.039

MAI-Image-2.6

fairly 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.

GPT Image 2

Subscription
No OpenAI subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.34 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 61 plans in Germany.
Via API
$0.21 per image, 100 images $21.10.

MAI-Image-2.6

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
$0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.

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.

KennzahlGPT Image 2MAI-Image-2.6
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,3811,329
Arena rankRank 3 of 21Rank 4 of 21
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating103,38534,596
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1007368
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition7562
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details8988
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency6063
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization6661
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.21$0.039
100 images$21.10$3.89
Profile
ReleasedApril 2026Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryproprietary
Lifecycleno noticePreview in Microsoft Foundry
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parametersnot publishednot published
Largest output4K2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model61n/a

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

Sources: GPT Image 2 model source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · MAI-Image-2.6 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 betterGPT Image 2MAI-Image-2.6
Text to Image ArenaGPT Image 2: 1,189MAI-Image-2.6: 1,167level
Image Editing ArenaGPT Image 2: 1,137MAI-Image-2.6: 1,151level
Text to Image: 3D modelingGPT Image 2: 1,363MAI-Image-2.6: 1,325GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: Agentic image generationGPT Image 2: 1,339MAI-Image-2.6: 1,314level
Text to Image: ArtGPT Image 2: 1,370MAI-Image-2.6: 1,337GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: CartoonGPT Image 2: 1,402MAI-Image-2.6: 1,348GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: Commercial designGPT Image 2: 1,385MAI-Image-2.6: 1,332GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: OverallGPT Image 2: 1,381MAI-Image-2.6: 1,329GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: PhotorealismGPT Image 2: 1,378MAI-Image-2.6: 1,330GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: PortraitsGPT Image 2: 1,426MAI-Image-2.6: 1,339GPT Image 2 ahead
Text to Image: Text renderingGPT Image 2: 1,423MAI-Image-2.6: 1,365GPT Image 2 ahead
Image Editing: Agentic image generationGPT Image 2: 1,459MAI-Image-2.6: 1,416GPT Image 2 ahead
Image Editing: OverallGPT Image 2: 1,460MAI-Image-2.6: 1,427GPT Image 2 ahead

Artificial Analysis from Nov 3, 2026 · LMArena from Oct 28, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingGPT Image 2MAI-Image-2.6Source
Text to Image Arena1,1891,167Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Image Editing Arena1,1371,151Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Text to Image: 3D modeling1,3631,325LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Agentic image generation1,3391,314LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Art1,3701,337LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Cartoon1,4021,348LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Commercial design1,3851,332LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Overall1,3811,329LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Photorealism1,3781,330LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Portraits1,4261,339LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Text rendering1,4231,365LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Image Editing: Agentic image generation1,4591,416LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Image Editing: Overall1,4601,427LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026

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