MAI-Image-2.6 Flashvs.FLUX.2 Klein 4B
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. Neither is in the arena. FLUX.2 Klein 4B has no API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Infographic”:MAI-Image-2.6 Flash ahead
What the rating looks at: Numbers, labels, and visual organization.
“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-2.6 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
FLUX.2 Klein 4B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=707400387, Fal's published 4B text-to-image endpoint; default four inference steps, estimated cost $0.005000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: d6f2280312404df55179b7cf7d03468df04541eae774cc8d2b35e40e0820f06f
FLUX.2 Klein 4B image SHA 256: 170cebb7cf75bc033a92371199812674f9cfa9641d5e9fb13947ccf892d4ed53
Infographic
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
FLUX.2 Klein 4B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=290140178, Fal's published 4B text-to-image endpoint; default four inference steps, estimated cost $0.005000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 5c40f304b9dad1876a8d2223d22ca0e431ba9fe8a16e878a81743ac8296b6649
FLUX.2 Klein 4B image SHA 256: 42b729a5a72207b5a92464f3ecf1713459ab1b105c3041c14b75c7622630015e
Product photography
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
FLUX.2 Klein 4B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1254275381, Fal's published 4B text-to-image endpoint; default four inference steps, estimated cost $0.005000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:00 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 64376f13e8626feb37db3c138dde381843866e7d58fb87e8076c2fa9003365e4
FLUX.2 Klein 4B image SHA 256: 8fae4a7f6abb7467281c439dc93aa656031626f88c8a54f95f49850cbf045580
Typography and layout
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
FLUX.2 Klein 4B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1270698692, Fal's published 4B text-to-image endpoint; default four inference steps, estimated cost $0.005000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:00 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: be8d86a467f73abfce15cdcce3073acc257baf1c87112c2b53a64b36efde0804
FLUX.2 Klein 4B image SHA 256: 7c2c3e30c20c98e90033087b2b95b151bddc3252dd4aed7092fcbca4ae4ea96e
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
not in the arena
FLUX.2 Klein 4B
not in the arena
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Rank 41 of 74
FLUX.2 Klein 4B
Rank 55 of 74
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
cheap
FLUX.2 Klein 4B
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-2.6 Flash
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.019 per image, 100 images $1.95.
FLUX.2 Klein 4B
- Subscription
- No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 12 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: API, local.
- License
- Open weights.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
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.
| Kennzahl | MAI-Image-2.6 Flash | FLUX.2 Klein 4B |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | n/a | n/a |
| Arena rank | n/a | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | n/a | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 55 | 37 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 43 | 21 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 84 | 54 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 36 | 53 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 59 | 19 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.019 | n/a |
| 100 images | $1.95 | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | Jul 31, 2026 | n/a |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | open |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API | API, local |
| Parameters | not published | 4 billion |
| Largest output | 2,359,296 pixels | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | n/a | 12 |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: MAI-Image-2.6 Flash model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · FLUX.2 Klein 4B 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-2.6 Flash and FLUX.2 Klein 4B from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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