Microsoft AI: MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst
A side-by-side comparison of Microsoft AI: MAI-Image-2.6 Flash ($6.13 / 1M tokens) and OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst ($28.00 / 1M tokens) using current USD prices and capabilities from the api14 catalog. Both run through the same OpenAI-compatible API.
Specifications
| Microsoft AI: MAI-Image-2.6 Flash | OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Microsoft | OpenAI |
| Input | $6.13 / 1M tokens | $28.00 / 1M tokens |
| Image input | $66.50 / 1M tokens | - |
| Image output | $66.50 / 1M tokens | $105.00 / 1M tokens |
| Output | - | $28.00 / 1M tokens |
| Cache read | - | $7.00 / 1M tokens |
| Cache write | - | $35.00 / 1M tokens |
| Web search | - | $35.00 / 1K searches |
| Context window | 4,096 | 400,000 |
| Max output | 1,024 | 360,000 |
| Input | text, image | text, image |
| Output | image | image |
| Tool calling | ||
| Structured output | ||
| Reasoning control | ||
| Added | Sep 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Key differences
- Microsoft AI: MAI-Image-2.6 Flash is 78% cheaper on input tokens.
- OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst reads 97.7× more context (400,000 tokens).
- Only OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst supports structured JSON output.
Switch with one string
Both models use the same endpoint and request shape. Change the model value from "microsoft/mai-image-2.6-flash" to "openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst" and prompts, streaming and tools keep working.
import OpenAI from "openai";
const client = new OpenAI({
baseURL: "https://api14.com/api/v1",
apiKey: process.env.API14_API_KEY,
});
const result = await client.images.generate({
"model": "openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst",
"prompt": "A minimalist product photo of a ceramic mug on a wooden table",
"n": 1,
"aspect_ratio": "1:1"
});
import { writeFile } from "node:fs/promises";
await writeFile("image.png", Buffer.from(result.data[0].b64_json, "base64"));
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