AI image model comparison
MAI-Image-2.6 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.
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
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
Per-image price is not available
Better image quality
MAI-Image-2.6
1318 vs 1226 Elo in blind votes
Better at editing
MAI-Image-2.6
1254 vs 1230 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
Image editing
Graphic design
Logos
Pricing
MAI-Image-2.6 vs MAI-Image-2.5 price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $38 | $47 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $5 | $5 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Social media batch
50 images
Product catalog
1,000 images
Specs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 4K tokens | 4K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | No |
| Release date | September 4, 2026 | June 2, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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.
- 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 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
- MAI-Image-2.6 vs GPT Image 1
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs FLUX.2 Flex
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs FLUX.2 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5 Image
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2.1
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 1
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which makes better images, MAI-Image-2.6 or MAI-Image-2.5?
In blind votes on Design Arena, MAI-Image-2.6 has an image generation Elo of 1318 and MAI-Image-2.5 has 1226, putting MAI-Image-2.6 ahead. Taste varies by style, so the best test is running your own prompts through both.
Can MAI-Image-2.6 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 MAI-Image-2.6 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 MAI-Image-2.6 and MAI-Image-2.5 results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.6 and MAI-Image-2.5 at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.