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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Wan 2.6 Text to Image

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.

9

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 2 and Wan 2.6 Text to Image
AttributeGPT Image 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image
ProviderOpenAIAlibaba
ReleasedApril 2026January 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K2K
Arena configurationHighText to Image
Text-to-image price$211 per 1,000 images$30 per 1,000 images
Editing price$211 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
GPT Image 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Wan 2.6 Text to Image$30Lower 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.

9 shared result series
GPT Image 2Wan 2.6 Text to Image
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370 EloHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,212 Elo
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,145.884 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,156.609 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,145.336 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,148.092 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,135.885 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,128.051 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,122.435 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Wan 2.6 Text to Image1,148.761 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Wan 2.6 Text to Image
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Wan 2.6 Text to ImageSource
Text to Image Arena
1,370 EloHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 13,336 ratings
1,212 Elo
Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 3,702 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings
1,145.884 arena points
Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±6.43, 17,534 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings
1,156.609 arena points
Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±5.91, 23,269 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings
1,145.336 arena points
Rank 32, 95% confidence interval: ±4.52, 73,425 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings
1,148.092 arena points
Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±4.37, 69,457 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings
1,135.885 arena points
Rank 35, 95% confidence interval: ±3.05, 182,381 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings
1,128.051 arena points
Rank 39, 95% confidence interval: ±4.4, 74,727 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings
1,122.435 arena points
Rank 44, 95% confidence interval: ±5.31, 40,808 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings
1,148.761 arena points
Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±4.55, 66,011 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 2, Character and detail
GPT Image 2
Wan 2.6 Text to Image, Character and detail
Wan 2.6 Text to Image
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 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:30 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: db4ca97dc43effd578430b77f8ca559c7dd5cbe60e663ba9ecc2e89a33480b0d

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: cf49d7136a442f4f1c1ae29af99e917aa83bcbf501fdacfe3a13a3b3e74d7f9a

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: 10c9f29d46b749448e574d11b560a2c20065d9026f1f52a99f09b23b6299c9c5

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 2, Infographic
GPT Image 2
Wan 2.6 Text to Image, Infographic
Wan 2.6 Text to Image
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 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:30 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: ed741d3d120188b9286d3576e7dcd3ace9dd7792978d4d5426022f32ed7ca381

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: 28eecbf460194ec047237c35415d934929baee9de9938bdff435cd21a4416435

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: d9e00f8c778897df69e719c5bf9fa73115d87abeb23d63eec50dc2280f0e29a9

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2, Product photography
GPT Image 2
Wan 2.6 Text to Image, Product photography
Wan 2.6 Text to Image
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 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:29 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 7b27ff2c9b64529a36bebf2d572c3448f26e68f3e9d1ac6a3f2b5ead8698f60f

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: e8dbcfd0ce965814d72d676eddf74f723d476c1f78c5928c7b6efbc4eca4765e

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: d1539f1db265e5a110b20b8585984ef534d0b89f51e83fd0fc51551832b669d1

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2, Typography and layout
GPT Image 2
Wan 2.6 Text to Image, Typography and layout
Wan 2.6 Text to Image
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 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
Wan 2.6 Text to Image. Provider Together, requested 1280x1280, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID Wan-AI/Wan2.6-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 473a774dfe9f9b7bb597e9e8b63af4e770b6bc4e7f8bc90682636db3516e7353

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, image SHA 256: 7e9557478ee297369d7680b31ab3b23a13c984981c0e0c922ef07372999122a7

Wan 2.6 Text to Image, request SHA 256: 2018571c876690a189c5076c520f09d03dd75a18ad6c52550cd51f854c30aa9d

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.