MAI-Image-2.6 Flashvs.Grok Imagine Image 1.0

Which one is better?

In our own test, Grok Imagine Image 1.0 leads. Neither is in the arena. Grok Imagine Image 1.0 has no API price.

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

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — MAI-Image-2.6 Flash43 out of 100

Grok Imagine Image 1.0: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — Grok Imagine Image 1.073 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:Grok Imagine Image 1.0 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-2.6 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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, resolution 1K, estimated cost $0.020000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:30 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: d6f2280312404df55179b7cf7d03468df04541eae774cc8d2b35e40e0820f06f

Grok Imagine Image 1.0 image SHA 256: f0a1722dd70365a05d18f1872dcf5761f358e13dca81e6ceafca69d17f658412

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, resolution 1K, estimated cost $0.020000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:31 PM. Source

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

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0 image SHA 256: 7dd25385835faf743c6e97b5a50ebcf5926cf94d862425177c25d8b27281ac8d

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, resolution 1K, estimated cost $0.020000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:30 PM. Source

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

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0 image SHA 256: 95c5d4be59e6c115257f2414c513efd79bf7fd9ac69965ec04677eda2ec5a27a

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, resolution 1K, estimated cost $0.020000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:30 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: be8d86a467f73abfce15cdcce3073acc257baf1c87112c2b53a64b36efde0804

Grok Imagine Image 1.0 image SHA 256: ab6dfd89aec95ebe7cfd2f3cacb4fbd66123306647c78d621d5c8c6325f3d7c5

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better

n/a

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

not in the arena

n/a

Grok Imagine Image 1.0

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Rank 41 of 74

Grok Imagine Image 1.0

Rank 5 of 74

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better

$0.019

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

cheap

n/a

Grok Imagine Image 1.0

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-2.6 Flash

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

Grok Imagine Image 1.0

Subscription: n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API: No API price known. Access: API.
Weights: unknown.

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	Grok Imagine Image 1.0
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	76
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition	43	73
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details	84	89
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency	36	57
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization	59	85
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	unknown
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry	no notice
Access	API	API
Parameters	not published	not published
Largest output	2,359,296 pixels	not consistently published
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model	n/a	n/a

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) · Grok Imagine Image 1.0 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-2.6 Flash and Grok Imagine Image 1.0 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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More matchups

Compare MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and Grok Imagine Image 1.0 with other important image models.

View the complete image model comparison

Same prompt, two images

The numbers at a glance

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Grok Imagine Image 1.0

All data side by side

Arena ratings by category

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

Compare another matchup

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