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MAI-Image-2-Efficient

Microsoft · MAI Image line · image

Released April 14, 2026Replaced by MAI-Image-2.5

MAI-Image-2-Efficient was released by Microsoft on April 14, 2026, as an image model in the MAI Image line.

  • Release 3 of 6 in the MAI Image line.
  • Came 26 days after MAI-Image-2, released Mar 19, 2026.
  • Replaced by MAI-Image-2.5 on June 2, 2026, 49 days later.
  • These days the line ships a new model about every 49 days.

No detailed card for this model: we only add numbers published by the maker or by independent benchmarks. Sources: Microsoft AI

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Where the MAI Image line stands

MAI-Image-2.6 is the current model in this line. The card shows how long it has been since the last release against the line's usual gap and its recent ones — the rhythm, not a date.

MAI-Image-2.6

Microsoft · MAI Image line · image
Mid-cycle30 of ~49 days into its usual cycle

Microsoft's updated image model scores 46 Elo points above MAI-Image-2.5 in Artificial Analysis blind comparisons and costs about a fifth less per image; it is in Public Preview on Microsoft Foundry.

Released Sep 4, 2026 · what changed →
Days since last release
MAI-Image-2.6 · Sep 4, 2026
30
days
Usual gap
49
days
Recent gaps
MAI-Image-2.6 · Sep 2026
43
MAI-Image-2.5-Pro · Jul 2026
51
MAI-Image-2.5 · Jun 2026
49
MAI-Image-2-Efficient · Apr 2026
26

Every MAI Image release

Newest first. See the full line with every card →

  1. Sep 4, 2026MAI-Image-2.6
  2. Jul 23, 2026MAI-Image-2.5-Pro
  3. Jun 2, 2026MAI-Image-2.5
  4. Apr 14, 2026MAI-Image-2-Efficient · this page
  5. Mar 19, 2026MAI-Image-2
  6. Nov 4, 2025MAI-Image-1