MAI-Image-2.6 Flashvs.Seedream 4.5
Which one is better?
We have not tested Seedream 4.5 ourselves yet. Neither is in the arena. Seedream 4.5 has no API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each.
No image from the four fixed tasks for Seedream 4.5 yet.This model does not yet have a complete GraduallyBench run.
Result for “Typography and layout”:only MAI-Image-2.6 Flash tested
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.
Missing image run for Seedream 4.5
This model does not yet have a complete GraduallyBench run. Run the missing fixed tasks, archive the first output of each, and evaluate them blind.
DocumentationThe numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
not in the arena
Seedream 4.5
not in the arena
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Rank 41 of 74
Seedream 4.5
not tested yet
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
cheap
Seedream 4.5
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.
Seedream 4.5
- Subscription
- No ByteDance / Volcengine subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.39 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 39 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.
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 | Seedream 4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | n/a |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 43 | n/a |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 84 | n/a |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 36 | n/a |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 59 | n/a |
| 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 | Still-listed T2I/I2I model ID; Ark marks it as pending shutdown without giving a date in the reviewed source |
| Access | API | API, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2,359,296 pixels | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | n/a | 39 |
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) · Seedream 4.5 model source, status 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 Seedream 4.5 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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