MAI-Image-2.5vs.Nano Banana 2 Lite
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. In the arena both are on par. MAI-Image-2.5 costs 1.4 times as much per image.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Product photography”:Nano Banana 2 Lite slightly ahead
What the rating looks at: Materials, reflections, and fine details.
“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
Nano Banana 2 Lite: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced
Nano Banana 2 Lite image SHA 256: 6c7d17b2a84129cbeba7d52c8de703773e9296562d9d603688256d2717e65a0c
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
Nano Banana 2 Lite: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf
Nano Banana 2 Lite image SHA 256: 11d8b5ddf15becefa6e4e32fca21729ff7d57f561a10e3a2b4b6f5c7a0aed6ef
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
Nano Banana 2 Lite: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:21 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd
Nano Banana 2 Lite image SHA 256: 30d9b09b92917eca84675448260a083ad368d9ea25376dabccac0f526f3a3ab7
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
Nano Banana 2 Lite: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08
Nano Banana 2 Lite image SHA 256: 9fab80fe1ad268b9ceceb4ef61ef1dd0e965dd3f28d377af7cf9cf201fdf47fa
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 9 of 21
Nano Banana 2 Lite
Rank 11 of 21
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 26 of 108
Nano Banana 2 Lite
Rank 21 of 108
MAI-Image-2.5
fairly cheap
Nano Banana 2 Lite
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.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- Subscription
- Free to use at Google (Google AI Free, with limited credits), more from €4.99 a month (Google AI Plus, with limited credits). Through other providers from ≈ €6.36 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 51 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.034 per image, 100 images $3.36.
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 | Nano Banana 2 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,253 | 1,249 |
| Arena rank | Rank 9 of 21 | Rank 11 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 61,222 | 17,787 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 69 | 71 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 82 | 82 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 70 | 87 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 55 | 47 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 69 | 66 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.048 | $0.034 |
| 100 images | $4.81 | $3.36 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | June 2026 | June 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API, Web app | API, Web app |
| Parameters | 20 billion | not published |
| Largest output | 1,048,576 pixels | 1K |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 6 | 51 |
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) · Nano Banana 2 Lite model source (verified Aug 15, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
Artificial Analysis from Nov 6, 2026 · LMArena from Nov 6, 2026
All individual values with sources
| Rating | MAI-Image-2.5 | Nano Banana 2 Lite | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,120 | 1,109 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,124 | 1,054 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,251 | 1,226 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,277 | 1,256 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,269 | 1,256 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,259 | 1,248 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,253 | 1,249 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,251 | 1,259 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,255 | 1,244 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,281 | 1,274 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,400 | 1,313 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
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