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Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash vs. Ideogram 4.0

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.

1

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-15

latest arena retrieval

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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 MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Ideogram 4.0
AttributeMAI-Image-2.5 FlashIdeogram 4.0
ProviderMicrosoft AIIdeogram
ReleasedJune 2026June 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app, local
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft Foundry Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published9.3 billion
Maximum output1,048,576 pixels2K
Arena configurationFlashStandard
Text-to-image price$20 per 1,000 images$60 per 1,000 images
Editing price$20 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
MAI-Image-2.5 FlashIdeogram 4.0
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash$20Lower price
Ideogram 4.0$60

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.

1 shared result series
MAI-Image-2.5 FlashIdeogram 4.0
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash1,230 EloNo clear arena lead
Ideogram 4.01,217 Elo
Arena benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Ideogram 4.0
BenchmarkMAI-Image-2.5 FlashIdeogram 4.0Source
Text to Image Arena
1,230 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 4,475 ratings
1,217 Elo
Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 6,588 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15

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

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Ideogram 4.0, Character and detail
Ideogram 4.0
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:28 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: a2637943faf5ae5210c69f645f96c70ea0a1d267c38a64705810947d2ba78dc8

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: d63d24515e4c3a8b7feafecaf995a511433307ae5faae1a1c26b2f0289578af9

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 696dca30bc56f219456b4718f12964f03bebafaf0ab04933c83ebce7d87885fa

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Ideogram 4.0, Infographic
Ideogram 4.0
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:28 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 6af00e502934a24a9e535b3f72d9b1ca545a984fc463e785ffe796a700e015b3

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: f57e6f5b7ae9038953087720387aa4a901832a1794dbb5e3f337f9d3ef213d62

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f8be08fad75ff655fee6c1f905b56f7b1af1baad82abb6afd680b3c5d8adce6

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Ideogram 4.0, Product photography
Ideogram 4.0
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:27 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 9cb652604f7c64d8ebaa4303e924155a1f45581a940045be12775419e635bd8f

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 59b59cf5294653460f06085eedcfeb676b8c50f88f58f038b32659841f0500dd

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: f92af218505f25199de273f0bded9e0a2cb86dbdec60ac4db6d518ea96242b30

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Ideogram 4.0, Typography and layout
Ideogram 4.0
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:22 PM. Source
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 185a852b71d68ea37a41091b57f3ec02829b2d1e87fd1045939ffa0f8e4c3cf8

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 088eabf7b8c37bd377011dd2649a2deeee49ffb903e4798a6930bb94144f1eb4

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f93bd316178809113c5fc31686cfeb03091fd0212264fc910f62c27f55b80df

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.

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