AI image model comparison

Nano Banana 2 vs MAI-Image-2.5

Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.

google logo

Google

Nano Banana 2

Gemini 3.1 Flash Image

Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, a.k.a. "Nano Banana 2," is Google’s latest state of the art image generation and editing model, delivering Pro-level visual quality at Flash speed.

Per image
$0.067
Output / 1M
$60
Image Elo
1277
microsoft logo

Microsoft

MAI-Image-2.5

Microsoft AI's MAI-Image-2.5 is a high-quality image generation model available via Azure AI Foundry.

Per image
Not available
Output / 1M
$47
Image Elo
1226

At a glance

Quick verdict

Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.

Cheaper per image

Not available

Only one lists a per-image price

Better image quality

google logo

Nano Banana 2

1277 vs 1226 Elo in blind votes

Better at editing

Not available

Only one editing score is available

Newer release

google logo

Nano Banana 2

Released June 18, 2026

Quality

Image quality rankings

Elo ratings from Design Arena, where people vote between two anonymous images made from the same prompt. Higher is better.

Image generation

google logoNano Banana 2#4 · 65.1% wins1277
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5#6 · 54.2% wins1226

Image editing

google logoNano Banana 2Not available
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5#5 · 55% wins1230

Graphic design

google logoNano Banana 2#4 · 66.3% wins1262
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5#6 · 52.3% wins1210

Logos

google logoNano Banana 2#4 · 62.9% wins1262
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5#5 · 53.5% wins1249

Pricing

Nano Banana 2 vs MAI-Image-2.5 price per image

What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5
Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024)$0.067Not available
Image outputPer 1M image tokens$60$47
Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses1,120Not available
Prompt textPer 1M input tokens$0.50$5

What it costs in practice

Estimated totals at standard resolution.

Single image

1 image

google logoNano Banana 2$0.067
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5Not available

Social media batch

50 images

google logoNano Banana 2$3.36
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5Not available

Product catalog

1,000 images

google logoNano Banana 2$67.20
microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5Not available

Specs

Inputs, outputs, and limits

What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5
AcceptsImage, TextImage, Text
ProducesImage, TextImage
Max prompt lengthText plus reference images131K tokens4K tokens
Reasoning stepOptionalNo
Release dateJune 18, 2026June 2, 2026

Features

Supported features

Creative controls available for each model.

Metricgoogle logoNano Banana 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5
Image editingAccepts reference or source imagesSupportedSupported
Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it madeSupportedNot supported
Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning stepSupportedNot supported
Reproducible seedsSame seed, same imageSupportedNot supported
Temperature controlTrade consistency for varietySupportedSupported

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which makes better images, Nano Banana 2 or MAI-Image-2.5?

In blind votes on Design Arena, Nano Banana 2 has an image generation Elo of 1277 and MAI-Image-2.5 has 1226, putting Nano Banana 2 ahead. Taste varies by style, so the best test is running your own prompts through both.

Can Nano Banana 2 and MAI-Image-2.5 edit existing images?

Yes. Both accept reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, different lighting, or added text.

Can I use Nano Banana 2 and MAI-Image-2.5 at the same time?

Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Nano Banana 2 and MAI-Image-2.5 results side by side and keep the one you like.

google logomicrosoft logo

Why choose? Generate with both.

Send one prompt to Nano Banana 2 and MAI-Image-2.5 at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.