AI image model comparison
Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.6
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2.1 (Gemini Nano Banana 2.1) is Google's image generation and editing model on the Flash tier, succeeding Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $30
- Image Elo
- Not available
Microsoft
MAI-Image-2.6
MAI-Image-2.6 is an image generation and editing model from Microsoft AI, the precision tier of the MAI-Image-2.6 family alongside the faster [MAI-Image-2.6 Flash](/microsoft/mai-image-2.6-flash).
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $38
- Image Elo
- 1318
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
Not available
Per-image price is not available
Better image quality
Not available
Not enough arena data
Better at editing
Not available
Only one editing score is available
Newer release
Nano Banana 2.1
Released October 6, 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
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableImage editing
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableGraphic design
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableLogos
Nano Banana 2.1Not availablePricing
Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.6 price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $30 | $38 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $1.50 | $5 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableSocial media batch
50 images
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image, Text | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 66K tokens | 4K tokens |
| Reasoning step | Optional | No |
| Release date | October 6, 2026 | September 4, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Supported | Not supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Supported | Not supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Supported | Not supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
Nano Banana 2.1View full model details- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5 Image
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 1
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs MAI-Image-2.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs FLUX.2 Flex
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs FLUX.2 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Seedream 4.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 1
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can Nano Banana 2.1 and MAI-Image-2.6 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 2.1 and MAI-Image-2.6 at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Nano Banana 2.1 and MAI-Image-2.6 results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to Nano Banana 2.1 and MAI-Image-2.6 at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.