AI image model comparison
MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
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
Nano Banana 2 Lite (Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image) is Google's fastest, most cost-efficient Gemini image model, built for high-velocity developer pipelines and rapid-fire visual exploration.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $30
- Image Elo
- Not available
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
MAI-Image-2.6
Released September 4, 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 LiteNot availableImage editing
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availableGraphic design
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availableLogos
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availablePricing
MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2 Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $38 | $30 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $5 | $0.25 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availableSocial media batch
50 images
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
Nano Banana 2 LiteNot availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2 Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image, Text |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 4K tokens | 66K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | Optional |
| Release date | September 4, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2 Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Not supported | 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.
- 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 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 Nano Banana 2.1
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 1
Nano Banana 2 LiteView full model details- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Nano Banana 2
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Seedream 4.5
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Nano Banana
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Muse Image
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT Image 2
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Nano Banana 2.1
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT-5 Image
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs GPT Image 1
- Nano Banana 2 Lite vs MAI-Image-2.5
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can MAI-Image-2.6 and Nano Banana 2 Lite 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 MAI-Image-2.6 and Nano Banana 2 Lite at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see MAI-Image-2.6 and Nano Banana 2 Lite results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.6 and Nano Banana 2 Lite at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.