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MAI-Image-2.5vs.Qwen Image 3.0

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. Qwen Image 3.0 has no arena rating yet. Qwen Image 3.0 has no API price.

Same prompt, two 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-2.584 out of 100
Qwen Image 3.0: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
Qwen Image 3.023 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

Both models receive the same archived prompt in 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. 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

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:34 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 8c9db12ce993a7d600aebd4cbe10d368117fe4495d6ee7155e111e76e47d525a

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

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:35 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 4853b8bffa4d6e219e2c3f6b5d070b1d1eb57016a05bd8a5befd81e214018439

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

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:33 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 268ca5420bbc1efd428bdafd4da860106f9e2ccb17d3f96b8dbb208e360ed54f

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

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:32 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 09644f0a6d31fa5f78ae43e45544c8013b78e1a22f42c1b54c0142ea6c9cfa83

The numbers at a glance

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

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 9 of 22

n/a

Qwen Image 3.0

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
62

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 22 of 74

65

Qwen Image 3.0

Rank 15 of 74

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

MAI-Image-2.5

fairly cheap

n/a

Qwen Image 3.0

no API price

Ranks among the 22 image models with an arena rating and the 74 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.

Qwen Image 3.0

Subscription
No Alibaba subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €19.04 a month (Magnific Premium, with limited credits). 6 plans in Germany.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API, Web app.
Weights
unknown.

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 1, 2026 · API prices from Oct 28, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (34 days old)

All data side by side

The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.

KennzahlMAI-Image-2.5Qwen Image 3.0
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,253n/a
Arena rankRank 9 of 22n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating61,286n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006265
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition8423
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details5986
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency5759
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization5091
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.048n/a
100 images$4.81n/a
Profile
ReleasedJune 2026n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryunknown
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft Foundryno notice
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
Parameters20 billionnot published
Largest output1,048,576 pixels2K
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model66

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) · Qwen Image 3.0 model source (verified Nov 1, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for MAI-Image-2.5 and Qwen Image 3.0 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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