MAI-Image-2.6 Flashvs.Vidu Q2 Image
Which one is better?
In our own test, MAI-Image-2.6 Flash leads. Neither is in the arena. Vidu Q2 Image has no API price.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Product photography”:MAI-Image-2.6 Flash 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-2.6 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
Vidu Q2 Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1; use the first provider output, one request, first output, seed=provider random, Budget reserves $0.10 per image, the public page rate; API metadata lists $0.05, estimated cost $0.100000, source 1440x1440, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:17 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: d6f2280312404df55179b7cf7d03468df04541eae774cc8d2b35e40e0820f06f
Vidu Q2 Image image SHA 256: 6fff5b245381e9812626ed77dbfc2339d20e769e7dccd1104c9c1f19283f1cb7
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
Vidu Q2 Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1; use the first provider output, one request, first output, seed=provider random, Budget reserves $0.10 per image, the public page rate; API metadata lists $0.05, estimated cost $0.100000, source 1440x1440, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:18 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 5c40f304b9dad1876a8d2223d22ca0e431ba9fe8a16e878a81743ac8296b6649
Vidu Q2 Image image SHA 256: f05906a0af47e56f355e332694eb092267260b475ce90c0f5e4242ce91462934
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
Vidu Q2 Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1; use the first provider output, one request, first output, seed=provider random, Budget reserves $0.10 per image, the public page rate; API metadata lists $0.05, estimated cost $0.100000, source 1440x1440, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:17 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: 64376f13e8626feb37db3c138dde381843866e7d58fb87e8076c2fa9003365e4
Vidu Q2 Image image SHA 256: 1a83428b6d86bfee63528b77c9a6a9a6d96b4fe80e7b76e00727a7a895f92b58
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
Vidu Q2 Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1; use the first provider output, one request, first output, seed=provider random, Budget reserves $0.10 per image, the public page rate; API metadata lists $0.05, estimated cost $0.100000, source 1440x1440, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:11 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image SHA 256: be8d86a467f73abfce15cdcce3073acc257baf1c87112c2b53a64b36efde0804
Vidu Q2 Image image SHA 256: 1858a3661e9c0a89560e6d717c851c168d43eb9b80f0d169d61749d608365ba2
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
not in the arena
Vidu Q2 Image
not in the arena
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Rank 31 of 108
Vidu Q2 Image
Rank 85 of 108
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
cheap
Vidu Q2 Image
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-2.6 Flash
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.019 per image, 100 images $1.95.
Vidu Q2 Image
- 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 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-2.6 Flash | Vidu Q2 Image |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 67 | 31 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 54 | 27 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 90 | 32 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 52 | 26 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 74 | 37 |
| 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 | 4K |
| 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) · Vidu Q2 Image 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 Vidu Q2 Image from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
More comparisons
Compare MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and Vidu Q2 Image with the models people compare them with most often.