Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 vs. FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series: 15
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

First image modelSecond image model

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 and FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Attribute	MAI-Image-2.5	FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Provider	Microsoft AI	Black Forest Labs
Released	June 2026	January 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, local
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry Status source	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Open weights
Parameters	20 billion	9 billion
Maximum output	1,048,576 pixels	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	No separate configuration named	9B
Text-to-image price	$48.1 per 1,000 images	$15 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$48.1 per 1,000 images	$17 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

MAI-Image-2.5FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

MAI-Image-2.5$48.1

FLUX.2 Klein 9B$15

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

MAI-Image-2.5$48.1

FLUX.2 Klein 9B$17

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

MAI-Image-2.5FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.593.8 / 100

FLUX.2 Klein 9B9.9 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.586.4 / 100

FLUX.2 Klein 9B75.3 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.524.7 / 100

FLUX.2 Klein 9B43.2 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.565.4 / 100

FLUX.2 Klein 9B12.3 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 and FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Benchmark	MAI-Image-2.5	FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score93.8 / 100 Mean rank: 2.67 (2 / 3 / 3) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2	9.9 / 100 Mean rank: 25.33 (25 / 26 / 25) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 0.67 / 2 Text control: 1 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score86.4 / 100 Mean rank: 4.67 (1 / 5 / 8) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2	75.3 / 100 Mean rank: 7.67 (10 / 6 / 7) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	24.7 / 100 Mean rank: 21.33 (21 / 21 / 22) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 0.33 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2	Higher blind-rank score43.2 / 100 Mean rank: 16.33 (4 / 25 / 20) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 0.33 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score65.4 / 100 Mean rank: 10.33 (11 / 10 / 10) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1 / 2	12.3 / 100 Mean rank: 24.67 (25 / 24 / 25) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.33 / 2 Labels: 0.33 / 2 Diagram: 0.33 / 2 Clarity: 0.67 / 2
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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

MAI-Image-2.5FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,303 Elo

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,144 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,257 Elo

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,166 Elo

LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,246.107

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,078.396

LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,277.636

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,078.844

LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,270.066

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,063.975

LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,260.487

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,069.649

LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,256.13

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,069.517

LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,253.013

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,090.118

LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,259.199

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,092.062

LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,282.791

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,057.362

LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.51,401.279

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,224.398

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 and FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Benchmark	MAI-Image-2.5	FLUX.2 Klein 9B	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,303 Elo Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,800 ratings	1,144 Elo Rank 67, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,077 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,257 Elo Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 11,305 ratings	1,166 Elo Rank 34, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 11,256 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,246.107 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9.6, 4,252 ratings	1,078.396 Rank 54, 95% confidence interval: ±6.95, 13,814 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,277.636 Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8.37, 6,571 ratings	1,078.844 Rank 53, 95% confidence interval: ±6.28, 19,055 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,270.066 Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.37, 17,440 ratings	1,063.975 Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±5.01, 53,034 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,260.487 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,261 ratings	1,069.649 Rank 56, 95% confidence interval: ±4.59, 55,183 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,256.13 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±4.57, 44,940 ratings	1,069.517 Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±3.25, 142,762 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,253.013 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,468 ratings	1,090.118 Rank 54, 95% confidence interval: ±4.7, 60,335 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,259.199 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±7.61, 8,541 ratings	1,092.062 Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±5.73, 32,758 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,282.791 Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.6, 15,799 ratings	1,057.362 Rank 56, 95% confidence interval: ±4.77, 51,643 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,401.279 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±3.56, 170,301 ratings	1,224.398 Rank 37, 95% confidence interval: ±2.9, 507,321 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

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

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. 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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1587849924, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: 84eceab680e59de6b9d4e68b3c21f6515ce093ff7d110992049e847570dd565f

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

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. 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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1082231541, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

MAI-Image-2.5, image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: bbedc701e9933a8d6ed0fbb2a6fbb7214214fad9d32d9ae80a114a7254a0bcf1

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: 1d2eb263ca5a25794a88df7bb04f5c13e10ed9a289371d1dcc7ed6d6e0a297e2

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

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. 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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1388538280, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:39 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

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

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: e7208f19ccfb9b810b9648cb1861797b7155ad91933d1660059236cef413ebe0

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

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. 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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1340991019, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

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

MAI-Image-2.5, request SHA 256: f14577273bd6b0980f49e13988b01555bb55dc824317b201b5fab3d2ef72e666

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: c5f23870e70f2245d24a3689f2579ceb770e5edf8c3c89b7d6ed7ae138f262f6

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

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

Compare MAI-Image-2.5 and FLUX.2 Klein 9B with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 vs. FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

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