MAI-Image-2.5vs.FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview has no arena rating yet. FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview has no API price.

Test 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-2.582 out of 100

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview56 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

Each test attempt uses the same archived prompt and one request. The first output of that attempt counts. Repeats after technical test failures are disclosed for the affected images. 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.

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview: manual, BFL API /v1/flux-2-klein-9b-preview (distinct preview checkpoint); native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request per attempt; two submissions; original signed output expired after local retrieval failure; first output of technical repeat with unchanged prompt and seed; seed=4230828387; output_format=png; no reference images or negative prompt, generated Nov 2, 2026, 7:06 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview image SHA 256: 6cc5a70118def87bf0ec737b20c9dd56c3a7dd3ec776e007b8a5fdadd4c27849

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview: manual, BFL API /v1/flux-2-klein-9b-preview (distinct preview checkpoint); native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; seed=132780547; output_format=png; no reference images or negative prompt; first provider output recovered by GET after local regional API validation stopped polling; no regeneration, generated Nov 2, 2026, 7:04 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview image SHA 256: b1f17cd46fcd8f8b862da7c59900c1616ac3db8052d92a344720b7dc7fcb75ea

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview: manual, BFL API /v1/flux-2-klein-9b-preview (distinct preview checkpoint); native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; seed=3453819885; output_format=png; no reference images or negative prompt, generated Nov 2, 2026, 7:05 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview image SHA 256: 83bd206858a0d2bfab8a9d3bb7d90de6ff568017464a8168726175a6b324a90c

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview: manual, BFL API /v1/flux-2-klein-9b-preview (distinct preview checkpoint); native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; seed=1679342581; output_format=png; no reference images or negative prompt, generated Nov 2, 2026, 7:06 PM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview image SHA 256: deb8da580546e3d22e20222c5c7e8c1a95197f27be4bff0b064eba603bda7b47

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better

1,253

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 9 of 21

n/a

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 26 of 108

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview

Rank 48 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better

$0.048

MAI-Image-2.5

fairly cheap

n/a

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview

no API price

Ranks among the 21 image models with an arena rating and the 108 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.

FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview

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.

Arena rating (LMArena) from Nov 6, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 6, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (38 days old)

All data side by side

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

Kennzahl	MAI-Image-2.5	FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better	1,253	n/a
Arena rank	Rank 9 of 21	n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating	61,222	n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100	69	62
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition	82	56
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details	70	73
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency	55	45
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization	69	75
API price
Per imagelower is better	$0.048	n/a
100 images	$4.81	n/a
Profile
Released	June 2026	n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locally	proprietary	unknown
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry	Preview API route with newer quality/speed improvements; the stable 9B route remains separate
Access	API, Web app	API
Parameters	20 billion	9 billion
Largest output	1,048,576 pixels	not consistently published
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model	6	n/a

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) · FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview 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-2.5 and FLUX.2 Klein 9B Preview from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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