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Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 vs. Nano Banana Pro

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.

11

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

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 Pro
AttributeMAI-Image-2.5Nano Banana Pro
ProviderMicrosoft AIGoogle
ReleasedJune 2026November 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft Foundry Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
Parameters20 billionNot published
Maximum output1,048,576 pixels4K
Arena configurationNo separate configuration namedGemini 3 Pro Image
Text-to-image price$48.1 per 1,000 images$134 per 1,000 images
Editing price$48.1 per 1,000 images$134 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
MAI-Image-2.5Nano Banana Pro
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
MAI-Image-2.5$48.1Lower price
Nano Banana Pro$134
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
MAI-Image-2.5$48.1Lower price
Nano Banana Pro$134

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 Pro
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,310 EloNo clear arena lead
Nano Banana Pro1,299 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,257 EloNo clear arena lead
Nano Banana Pro1,244 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 Pro1,230.042 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 Pro1,224.748 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,270.066 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,240.574 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,260.487 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,245.099 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,256.13 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,245.593 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 Pro1,260.121 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 Pro1,258.035 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
MAI-Image-2.51,282.791 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,269.198 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 Pro1,389.053 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 and Nano Banana Pro
BenchmarkMAI-Image-2.5Nano Banana ProSource
Text to Image Arena
1,310 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,529 ratings
1,299 Elo
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,340 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,257 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 11,229 ratings
1,244 Elo
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,868 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
1,230.042 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7.01, 13,757 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
1,224.748 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.22, 19,671 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,270.066 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.37, 17,440 ratings
1,240.574 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±4.92, 56,045 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,260.487 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±6.3, 17,261 ratings
1,245.099 arena points
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.81, 50,186 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,256.13 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±4.57, 44,940 ratings
1,245.593 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±3.37, 138,756 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
1,260.121 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±4.77, 59,290 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
1,258.035 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±5.76, 31,463 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,282.791 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±6.6, 15,799 ratings
1,269.198 arena points
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±5.14, 46,529 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
1,389.053 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±2.99, 501,853 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

MAI-Image-2.5, Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5
Nano Banana Pro, Character and detail
Nano Banana Pro
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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:20 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 Pro, image SHA 256: eed53dcc080d2710e6e890382f6273382a12e2c5b079b8813962bff0c92b5df7

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: 12c91e972a7256b1386b22420c0c84e30b85ac6e07830eea944755e5bd9742fc

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

MAI-Image-2.5, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5
Nano Banana Pro, Infographic
Nano Banana Pro
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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:20 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 Pro, image SHA 256: 4ff7d3965d18e197f00647c35d6aed5a86a376c92779ee9e748c598aebafa51d

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: a69a5193f107aac4f7532f021fc4306c0907470f40f984d0b263728e292d8f1b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

MAI-Image-2.5, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5
Nano Banana Pro, Product photography
Nano Banana Pro
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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:19 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 Pro, image SHA 256: d50770f426cac7920c9ffdaf210db2f11cdc51a8cf0b7ef52e6cd26850b1de70

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: 92d73f9638fa47ea30f0ceefdeb5eb2ca7d4a018b4b4835463bd0ea29d0495cf

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

MAI-Image-2.5, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5
Nano Banana Pro, Typography and layout
Nano Banana Pro
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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, 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 Pro, image SHA 256: fc173de00b0df04772321167cfeabb55418d3d016081e7ebfb589c69a629b712

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: d686c572b086aa9f5d019886e8182c8f41c5d35bfb43bc6b6937feccba8a73eb

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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