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Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash vs. Midjourney V8.1

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.

0

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

No data

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 Midjourney V8.1
AttributeMAI-Image-2.5 FlashMidjourney V8.1
ProviderMicrosoft AIMidjourney
ReleasedJune 2026April 30, 2026
AccessAPI, Web appWeb app
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft Foundry Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output1,048,576 pixels2K
Arena configurationFlashNo arena entry
Text-to-image price$20 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$20 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

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.

0 shared result series

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Midjourney V8.1 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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
Midjourney V8.1, Character and detail
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: cf522740817fefe58b263fa9a0d07d249c42211eca7d7c9b013f7145a7d2a8ea

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Midjourney V8.1, Infographic
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: ac36188f88f37f23c2c405355d8dd12594085e1450d732fa419d8cec9a6c598f

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Midjourney V8.1, Product photography
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: 992f2486be40bc361a638b4b266909d334883c05fe4763cf5e243358c688bfdd

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Midjourney V8.1, Typography and layout
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: af3d2c5042b108a7fe2eb49bae072d30030e6b6cf814875ef9ce7074ceafc4ce

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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