MAI-Image-2.6vs.Qwen Image 3.0 Pro
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. Qwen Image 3.0 Pro has no arena rating yet. Qwen Image 3.0 Pro has no API price.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Typography and layout”:MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
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-2.6: 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
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.040000, generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:04 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro image SHA 256: 25a44aae505a9cb8ac370e1df5ee303f1e39116a234249bf89c412dedb9c25d6
Infographic
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
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.040000, generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:05 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro image SHA 256: edc1b5dfb1984cb0050d213de2360fa44450e49bf89c80a2751b4d6879fb62b6
Product photography
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
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.040000, generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:03 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro image SHA 256: a9696d17066bcbc6268a0c8523187b3770f14297fc80767512f1d2a17a17cf8c
Typography and layout
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
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.040000, generated Nov 2, 2026, 3:02 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro image SHA 256: d2b2069fe00237ab005465a66e608926e3a0e86b827baba80f04ff631e77f298
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 4 of 21
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro
not in the arena
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 28 of 108
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro
Rank 53 of 108
MAI-Image-2.6
fairly cheap
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro
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
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.
Qwen Image 3.0 Pro
- Subscription
- At Alibaba from ≈ €6.36 a month (Token Plan Individual Lite, with limited credits). 7 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.
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-2.6 | Qwen Image 3.0 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,331 | n/a |
| Arena rank | Rank 4 of 21 | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 38,071 | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 68 | 61 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 62 | 36 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 88 | 71 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 63 | 74 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 61 | 62 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.039 | n/a |
| 100 images | $3.89 | 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, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2,359,296 pixels | 2K |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | n/a | 7 |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: MAI-Image-2.6 model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · Qwen Image 3.0 Pro 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 and Qwen Image 3.0 Pro from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
More comparisons
Compare MAI-Image-2.6 and Qwen Image 3.0 Pro with the models people compare them with most often.