AI Photo Editor Showdown Instagram vs Google

The world of social media and tech is buzzing with generative AI, and the latest battleground is photo editing. Instagram recently launched its AI-powered 'Restyle' tool for Stories, allowing users to transform photos with text prompts. This places it in direct competition with established players like Google's impressive Gemini 2.5 Flash.

To see which tool truly delivers, we pitted them against each other in a head-to-head challenge. We used the exact same images and detailed prompts on both platforms to see which AI could better follow instructions and create stunning, creative pictures.

Round 1: A Night in Paris

The Prompt:

Using the individual from the image as the main subject, relocate the scene to the Eiffel Tower in Paris during nighttime. Position her directly in front of the tower illuminated by warm golden lights. Preserve her original facial features and clothing, while incorporating a cloche hat atop her head. The entire composition should feature striking, dramatic lighting, ensuring her face remains well-lit and prominent.

The Images:

Original Photo (Source: Pexels)

Gemini 2.5 Flash (Left) vs. Instagram Restyle (Right)

Round 2: Dramatic Mountain Portrait

The Prompt:

Transform this image into a dramatic portrait set against a mountainous, snow-clad landscape during sunset. Update the clothing of the man to suit a winter environment, while preserving the original facial features. Incorporate gentle illumination and subtle shading to evoke a calm, introspective mood reminiscent of a classic film frame.

The Images:

Original Photo (Source: Pexels)

Gemini 2.5 Flash (Left) vs. Instagram Restyle (Right)

Round 3: Cozy Campfire Scene

The Prompt:

Transform this photo of a couple clad in a blanket, positioning them next to a realistic campfire in a hilly forested area. Include a tranquil evening sky and radiant flames from the fire, amplifying the coziness of the scene. Keep their faces as they are while changing their attires to winter clothing with hats, scarves, and gloves.

The Images:

Original Photo (Source: Pexels)

Gemini 2.5 Flash (Left) vs. Instagram Restyle (Right)

Round 4: Holiday Postcard Creation

The Prompt:

Using the boy in this picture, generate a realistic wintry scene featuring a snow-covered hamlet and a snowman. Ensure the boy’s face matches the one from the uploaded picture. Change the colour of his clothing to red, with the snowman positioned beside him. Additionally, include a reindeer in the background. The final output should look like a holiday-themed picture postcard.

The Images:

Original Photo (Source: Pexels)

Gemini 2.5 Flash Result

Instagram Restyle Result

Round 5: A Taj Mahal Pre-Wedding Shoot

The Prompt:

Use the photo of this couple to produce a real-looking pre-wedding image, with the two standing before the Taj Mahal as the sun sets. Use the golden hues of dusk to accentuate the Taj Mahal’s majesty.

The Images:

Original Photo (Source: Pexels)

Gemini 2.5 Flash (Left) vs. Instagram Restyle (Right)

The Final Verdict: Who Wins the AI Photo Editing Crown?

After reviewing all five rounds, the results speak for themselves: Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash is the decisive winner.

Across the board, Gemini demonstrated a superior ability to understand and execute complex prompts. Its generated images were more detailed, clearer, and more vibrant. Crucially, it did a much better job of keeping the original subjects' facial features intact.

Instagram Restyle struggled, particularly with more detailed requests. In prompts 3 and 4, it failed to incorporate key elements and produced distorted, artificial-looking images. The outputs were often darker and less faithful to the original subjects.

While Instagram's entry into AI photo editing is a notable development, it's clear that Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash currently offers a more powerful, creative, and reliable tool for transforming your photos.