Compare · Image editing
MAI-Image-2.6 Edit vs MAI-Image-2.5 Edit
Microsoft MAI-Image 2.6 Edit against 2.5 Edit for product scene and background editing.
Every value below is read from the model catalog at generation time — price and which parameters each model exposes. 3 of the 13 spec rows differ between these two. “Not exposed” means the model has no API parameter for it — it does not mean the capability is absent. A model without a transparent-background switch can still produce a clean white background from a prompt; it just cannot hand you an alpha channel.
Specs
Side by side
| MAI-Image-2.6 Edit | MAI-Image-2.5 Edit | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| List price | $0.13 per image | $0.087 per image |
| Category | Image editing | Image editing |
| Input images | not exposed | single image |
| Output size | 2 presets (default, auto) | not exposed |
| Output format | not exposed | not exposed |
| Transparent background | not exposed | not exposed |
| Negative prompt | not exposed | not exposed |
| Seed / reproducibility | not exposed | not exposed |
| Prompt expansion | not exposed | not exposed |
| Batch outputs | not exposed | not exposed |
| Guidance / steps | not exposed | not exposed |
| Content policy | Microsoft standard policy · commercial use | Microsoft standard policy · commercial use |
MAI-Image-2.5 Edit is the cheaper of the two at $0.087 versus $0.13 — a 1.5× difference. For a 100-image catalog batch that is $8.70 against $13.35.
Output
What each one actually produces
These are the real sample clips from the catalog, with the prompt that generated each. Watch both before you decide — a spec table will not tell you whether the motion reads the way you need it to.
Sample · prompt: “Design a promotional advertisement image for a watch featuring a snow-capped mountain theme and incorporating text.”
Sample · prompt: “Transform images into real-world models with a metallic texture.”
FAQ
Short answers
Which is cheaper, MAI-Image-2.6 Edit or MAI-Image-2.5 Edit?
MAI-Image-2.5 Edit, at $0.087 per image. The other is listed at $0.13. These are list prices; billing on this site is not live yet.
What is MAI-Image-2.6 Edit good for in a product-photo workflow?
MAI-Image-2.6 Edit output size: 2 presets (default, auto). Keep one edit per pass so the product, logo and label text stay locked.
What is MAI-Image-2.5 Edit good for in a product-photo workflow?
MAI-Image-2.5 Edit edits one image per request. Keep one edit per pass so the product, logo and label text stay locked.
Are my product photos used for training?
No. Merchant uploads are processed for your request only and are not used to train either model. Both models are offered under their vendor's standard commercial-use policy.
Which should I use for e-commerce image editing?
Whichever exposes the control you need — the table above is the honest answer. For bulk background cleanup, start on the cheaper model and only move up for the hero image. For packaging or label text, test both on one SKU and check the lettering at 100% zoom before you run the batch.