AI image model comparison
MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 1
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
OpenAI
GPT Image 1
OpenAI's GPT Image 1 generates and edits images via the dedicated Images API.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $40
- 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
MAI-Image-2.6
1254 vs 1106 Elo on edits
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
GPT Image 1Not availableImage editing
GPT Image 1#7 · 46.6% wins1106Graphic design
GPT Image 1Not availableLogos
GPT Image 1Not availablePricing
MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 1 price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | GPT Image 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $38 | $40 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $5 | $10 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
GPT Image 1Not availableSocial media batch
50 images
GPT Image 1Not availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
GPT Image 1Not availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | GPT Image 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 4K tokens | 400K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | No |
| Release date | September 4, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | GPT Image 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Not supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Not supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Not supported | Supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Not 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 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 Nano Banana 2.1
GPT Image 1View full model details- GPT Image 1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- GPT Image 1 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- GPT Image 1 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- GPT Image 1 vs GPT Image 2
- GPT Image 1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- GPT Image 1 vs Nano Banana 2.1
- GPT Image 1 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- GPT Image 1 vs GPT-5 Image
- GPT Image 1 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- GPT Image 1 vs MAI-Image-2.5
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can MAI-Image-2.6 and GPT Image 1 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 GPT Image 1 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 GPT Image 1 results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.6 and GPT Image 1 at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.