Image model vs image model
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst vs MAI-Image-2.6-Flash
MAI-Image-2.6-Flash ranks 10th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst hasn’t been rated yet. MAI-Image-2.6-Flash costs 10× less (≈$0.21 against ≈$0.02 an image).
At a glance
Longer bar means the bigger number. Elo bars start at 800.
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Where they sit among all 59 image models
Up and to the left is better pictures for less money. Hover or tap a dot for its numbers, then click it to compare that model with GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick MAI-Image-2.6-Flash if
- you want a model with a track record: it ranks 10th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score, and GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst has no arena score yet
- price matters: 100 images cost $2.02, against $21.05 with GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst
- you need to edit pictures you upload; GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst only makes new ones here
- your prompts mustn’t be stored: every provider that serves it promises zero data retention
The specs
| Spec | GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst | MAI-Image-2.6-Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | ≈$0.21 (estimated, high quality) | ≈$0.02 (estimated, medium quality) |
| 100 images | $21.05 | $2.02 |
| Text-to-image Elo | Not scored yet | 1120 ±12 (#10 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | Not scored yet | 1144 ±13 (#7 in the arena) |
| Edits uploaded pictures | No | Yes |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | No |
| Zero data retention | No | Yes |
| Lab | OpenAI | Microsoft AI |
| Official name | GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst | MAI-Image-2.6-Flash |
| Released | November 2026 | October 2026 |
Elo ± is the 95% margin. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway.
Questions
Which is better, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or MAI-Image-2.6-Flash?
MAI-Image-2.6-Flash ranks 10th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst hasn’t been rated yet. MAI-Image-2.6-Flash costs 10× less (≈$0.21 against ≈$0.02 an image).
Which is cheaper, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or MAI-Image-2.6-Flash?
MAI-Image-2.6-Flash: ≈$0.02 for a 1024×1024 image, against ≈$0.21 for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst. 100 images cost $2.02 and $21.05. GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst is billed per token, so its price is an estimate at high quality. MAI-Image-2.6-Flash is billed per token, so its price is an estimate at medium quality.
Can GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst and MAI-Image-2.6-Flash edit images?
MAI-Image-2.6-Flash can change a picture you upload. GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst only makes new pictures from a prompt here.
How can I compare GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst and MAI-Image-2.6-Flash myself?
Open the comparison, type one prompt and both models draw it side by side, each with what it cost and how long it took. You sign up with Google before your first run, and new accounts start with free credit.
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Where the numbers come from
Quality scores are Elo ratings from the Artificial Analysis image arenas, where people vote between two pictures made from the same prompt without knowing which model made which. The vote split comes from the Elo gap. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway; models billed per token are estimated at the quality the arena scored. The sample pictures are our own runs. Updated November 5, 2026.