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MAI-Image-2.5vs.MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Is the extra cost worth it?

Probably not. In our own test both are on par. MAI-Image-2.6 Flash has no arena rating yet. MAI-Image-2.5 costs 2.5 times as much per image.

Test images

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

MAI-Image-2.5: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.582 out of 100
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash54 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:MAI-Image-2.5 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

MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048508, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019587, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: d6f2280312404df55179b7cf7d03468df04541eae774cc8d2b35e40e0820f06f

Infographic

MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048538, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019598, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 5c40f304b9dad1876a8d2223d22ca0e431ba9fe8a16e878a81743ac8296b6649

Product photography

MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048513, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019589, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 64376f13e8626feb37db3c138dde381843866e7d58fb87e8076c2fa9003365e4

Typography and layout

MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048473, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:03 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.019575, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: be8d86a467f73abfce15cdcce3073acc257baf1c87112c2b53a64b36efde0804

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
1,253

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 9 of 21

n/a

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
69

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 26 of 108

67

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Rank 31 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
$0.048

MAI-Image-2.5

fairly cheap

$0.019

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

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.

MAI-Image-2.5

Subscription
No Microsoft AI subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €19.04 a month (Magnific Premium, with limited credits). 6 plans in Germany.
Via API
$0.048 per image, 100 images $4.81.

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
$0.019 per image, 100 images $1.95.

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.

KennzahlMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,253n/a
Arena rankRank 9 of 21n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating61,286n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006967
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition8254
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details7090
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency5552
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization6974
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.048$0.019
100 images$4.81$1.95
Profile
ReleasedJune 2026Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryproprietary
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft FoundryPreview in Microsoft Foundry
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parameters20 billionnot published
Largest output1,048,576 pixels2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model6n/a

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

Sources: MAI-Image-2.5 model source, status source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · MAI-Image-2.6 Flash 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 betterMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Text to Image ArenaMAI-Image-2.5: 1,118MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: 1,120level
Image Editing ArenaMAI-Image-2.5: 1,127MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: 1,145level

Artificial Analysis from Nov 3, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6 FlashSource
Text to Image Arena1,1181,120Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Image Editing Arena1,1271,145Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026

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Predecessor and successor

  • MAI-Image-2.5 has no successor yet
  • No predecessor recorded for MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
  • MAI-Image-2.6 Flash has no successor yet