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MAI-Image-2.5vs.MAI-Image-2.6

Is the extra cost worth it?

Probably not. In our own test both are on par. In the arena, MAI-Image-2.6 leads. MAI-Image-2.5 costs 1.2 times as much per image.

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
MAI-Image-2.6: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.662 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:MAI-Image-2.5 slightly 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.

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

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039287, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69

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

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039317, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef

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

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039292, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb

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

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039252, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

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

MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47

The numbers at a glance

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

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 9 of 21

1,331

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 4 of 21

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
69

MAI-Image-2.5

Rank 26 of 108

68

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 28 of 108

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

MAI-Image-2.5

fairly cheap

$0.039

MAI-Image-2.6

fairly cheap

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.

MAI-Image-2.6

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
$0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.

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.

KennzahlMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,2531,331
Arena rankRank 9 of 21Rank 4 of 21
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating61,22238,071
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006968
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition8262
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details7088
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency5563
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization6961
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.048$0.039
100 images$4.81$3.89
Profile
ReleasedJune 2026Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryproprietary
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft FoundryPreview in Microsoft Foundry
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parameters20 billionnot published
Largest output1,048,576 pixels2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model6n/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) · MAI-Image-2.6 model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

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

Arena rating per categoryfrom votes by users · higher is betterMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6
Text to Image ArenaMAI-Image-2.5: 1,120MAI-Image-2.6: 1,168MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Image Editing ArenaMAI-Image-2.5: 1,124MAI-Image-2.6: 1,149MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: 3D modelingMAI-Image-2.5: 1,251MAI-Image-2.6: 1,324MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: ArtMAI-Image-2.5: 1,277MAI-Image-2.6: 1,338MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: CartoonMAI-Image-2.5: 1,269MAI-Image-2.6: 1,349MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: Commercial designMAI-Image-2.5: 1,259MAI-Image-2.6: 1,333MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: OverallMAI-Image-2.5: 1,253MAI-Image-2.6: 1,331MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: PhotorealismMAI-Image-2.5: 1,251MAI-Image-2.6: 1,331MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: PortraitsMAI-Image-2.5: 1,255MAI-Image-2.6: 1,342MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: Text renderingMAI-Image-2.5: 1,281MAI-Image-2.6: 1,366MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Image Editing: OverallMAI-Image-2.5: 1,400MAI-Image-2.6: 1,426MAI-Image-2.6 ahead

Artificial Analysis from Nov 6, 2026 · LMArena from Nov 6, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingMAI-Image-2.5MAI-Image-2.6Source
Text to Image Arena1,1201,168Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Image Editing Arena1,1241,149Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: 3D modeling1,2511,324LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Art1,2771,338LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Cartoon1,2691,349LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Commercial design1,2591,333LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Overall1,2531,331LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Photorealism1,2511,331LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Portraits1,2551,342LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Text rendering1,2811,366LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Image Editing: Overall1,4001,426LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026

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