Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 vs. Nano Banana 2 Lite

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.

shared result series

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

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 Nano Banana 2 Lite
Attribute	MAI-Image-2.5	Nano Banana 2 Lite
Provider	Microsoft AI	Google
Released	June 2026	June 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry Status source	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	20 billion	Not published
Maximum output	1,048,576 pixels	1K
Arena configuration	No separate configuration named	Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image
Text-to-image price	$48.1 per 1,000 images	$33.6 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$48.1 per 1,000 images	$33.6 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

MAI-Image-2.5Nano Banana 2 Lite

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

MAI-Image-2.5$48.1

Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6Lower price

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

MAI-Image-2.5$48.1

Nano Banana 2 Lite$33.6Lower 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.

11 shared result series

MAI-Image-2.5Nano Banana 2 Lite

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

MAI-Image-2.51,310 EloNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,292 Elo

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

MAI-Image-2.51,257 EloHigher arena score

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,200 Elo

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

MAI-Image-2.51,246.107 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,225.619 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,277.636 arena pointsHigher arena score

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,256.202 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,270.066 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,258.29 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,260.487 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.568 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,256.13 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,250.916 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,253.013 arena points

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,259.798 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

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

MAI-Image-2.51,259.199 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,248.247 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,282.791 arena pointsNo clear arena lead

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,275.354 arena points

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

MAI-Image-2.51,401.879 arena pointsHigher arena score

Nano Banana 2 Lite1,313.956 arena points

Arena benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 and Nano Banana 2 Lite
Benchmark	MAI-Image-2.5	Nano Banana 2 Lite	Source
Text to Image Arena	1,310 EloNo clear arena lead Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,529 ratings	1,292 Elo Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,652 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena	1,257 EloHigher arena score Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 11,229 ratings	1,200 Elo Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 8,704 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling	1,246.107 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9.6, 4,252 ratings	1,225.619 arena points Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±14.48, 1,580 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art	1,277.636 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8.37, 6,571 ratings	1,256.202 arena points Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±12.19, 2,304 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon	1,270.066 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.37, 17,440 ratings	1,258.29 arena points Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8.66, 6,273 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design	1,260.487 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,261 ratings	1,250.568 arena points Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±8.73, 5,912 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall	1,256.13 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±4.57, 44,940 ratings	1,250.916 arena points Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±6.18, 16,419 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism	1,253.013 arena points Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,468 ratings	1,259.798 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±8.54, 6,768 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits	1,259.199 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±7.61, 8,541 ratings	1,248.247 arena points Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±10.65, 3,364 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering	1,282.791 arena pointsNo clear arena lead Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.6, 15,799 ratings	1,275.354 arena points Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.1, 5,421 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall	1,401.879 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±3.85, 155,115 ratings	1,313.956 arena points Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±4.91, 59,331 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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Character and detail — Nano Banana 2 Lite

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
Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 6c7d17b2a84129cbeba7d52c8de703773e9296562d9d603688256d2717e65a0c

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: c8a36467199e361b900613c1db90cb99b0f552ddb7f7c7f2dd4aeb51ddb5ee1a

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Infographic — Nano Banana 2 Lite

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
Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 11d8b5ddf15becefa6e4e32fca21729ff7d57f561a10e3a2b4b6f5c7a0aed6ef

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 0e6096a9f082a718e45fcf3733bf3ffc92cb6c9db66b8c2c73d6c764ea0b15c8

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Product photography — Nano Banana 2 Lite

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
Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 30d9b09b92917eca84675448260a083ad368d9ea25376dabccac0f526f3a3ab7

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: cab5c6b0ea5c96eb96b640e581e0fe296421c7fffec3aad04f9394c978814ca1

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2 Lite, Typography and layout — Nano Banana 2 Lite

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
Nano Banana 2 Lite. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1-lite, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 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

Nano Banana 2 Lite, image SHA 256: 9fab80fe1ad268b9ceceb4ef61ef1dd0e965dd3f28d377af7cf9cf201fdf47fa

Nano Banana 2 Lite, request SHA 256: 942506d572642220473dd80be80ff16950d6d11f31fab2b5c3145f3f2a9b2513

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 Nano Banana 2 Lite with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 vs. Nano Banana 2 Lite

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images from documented runs

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons