Ever wonder which photo enlarging software gives you the best results? In this post, we tested the new ON1 Resize AI 2026 against our older version and a leading competitor to see how each one handled real photos—from wildlife to AI art.

The results speak for themselves.

When it comes to AI photo upscaling and image enlargement, the main competitors are Topaz Gigapixel AI, Adobe Photoshop (Super Resolution), and Luminar Neo (Upscale AI). Topaz is known for its dedicated AI upscaling app, often favored for extreme enlargements. Adobe’s Super Resolution is built into Camera Raw and Lightroom, offering basic upscaling inside a familiar workflow. Luminar Neo has upscaling with limited control. Unlike these options, ON1 Resize AI combines pro-level upscaling quality with built-in tools for cropping, tiling, print preparation, and batch processing—without requiring extra subscriptions or plugins.

We’re not here to knock anyone. All of these tools aim to solve a similar problem: how to turn a small or noisy photo into something clean, sharp, and print-ready. We’re really proud of how far Resize AI 2026 has come, so we wanted to share the results directly with you.

What Is Photo Upscaling or Enlargement?

Photo upscaling (also known as image enlargement or super resolution) is the process of increasing the size of a photo without compromising image quality. It’s useful when:

• You crop in tight on a subject and need more resolution
• You want to make a big print or canvas
• You’re working with older or lower-res images
• You use AI art, stock photos, or files from mobile devices

The tricky part? Digital images are made of pixels—and when you scale them up, you need to create new pixels that didn’t exist before. That’s where photo enlargement software comes in—it tries to fill in the blanks without making your photo blurry or full of artifacts.

From Fractals to AI: How ON1 Resize Has Evolved

Long before AI was mainstream, ON1 led the way in image upscaling with our Genuine Fractals® technology. The technology was a patented method that utilized fractal-based interpolation to identify repeating patterns in a photo and generate sharp, high-quality enlargements.

Instead of just stretching pixels, Genuine Fractals analyzed the texture and structure of your image and used math to guess what the new pixels should be. It was smart—and it made Resize famous in the photo industry for professional-quality enlargements.

But AI goes even further.

Today, ON1 Resize AI 2026 uses deep learning models trained on millions of real-world photos. That means Resize AI can understand what it’s looking at—such as feathers, fur, eyes, grass, or clouds—and recreate missing details in a way that looks natural and sharp.

With AI, it’s not just math anymore—it’s intelligence. The software knows how to rebuild textures, sharpen edges, and smooth out noise, all while making the photo appear as if it came straight from a higher-end camera.

In short:

• Genuine Fractals used smart math
• AI uses smart learning
• AI models can restore detail that traditional tools simply couldn’t predict

Let’s Look at the Results

We tested Resize AI 2026 using four real-world photo scenarios and compared it to the older Resize AI 2023.5 and a top competitor. Here’s what we found.

Example 1: Bald Eagle (Cropped Wildlife Photo)

We began with this photo of a bald eagle taken from quite a distance. We zoomed in 4x on the eagle’s face to see how each tool handled feather texture and sharp edges.

What stood out:

• Resize AI 2026 (Best Quality): Razor-sharp details, especially in feathers and eye clarity
• Fast model: Clean and quick—great for batch processing
• Older Resize AI 2023.5: Softer with less detail
• Top Competitor: Smoothed out textures more than we liked

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 (Highest Quality) gave the most lifelike and detailed result.

Example 2: Bird and Nest (Low Light and Texture)

This one was tricky—low light, soft edges, and lots of natural textures. We zoomed in tight on the bird’s eye and feathers.

What we saw:

• Highest Quality model: Rebuilt fine textures without adding fake sharpness
• Standard model: A solid upgrade over 2023.5 with better clarity
• 2023.5 version: Some artifacts and muddiness
• Top Competitor: Looked more painterly, less structured

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 handled soft and complex textures really well.

Example 3: Black-winged Stilt in Grass (Feathers and Fine Detail)

This bird photo was taken from a distance, so we zoomed way in to test feather detail and sharpness.

What we found:

• Highest Quality model: Clear, natural feathers and realistic color
• Standard model: Looks great and sharp enough for most use cases
• 2023.5 version: Decent, but missing finer detail
• Top Competitor: Lost texture in the feathers

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 gives you pro-level results—even when you crop in tight.

Example 4: Great Egret on a Stump (Feathers and Fine Detail)

This bird was photographed from far away with a foggy backdrop, so we zoomed way in to see how each model handled soft gradients, feather texture, and edge clarity.

What we found:

• Highest Quality model: Smooth tones, sharp details around the eye and beak, and natural-looking feathers
• Standard model: Slightly softer, but still excellent and ideal for large batches
• 2023.5 version: Softer overall and a bit plasticky in the fine details
• Top Competitor: Added some sharpness, but also noise and jagged lines

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 keeps things sharp and clean—even in tricky low-contrast scenes like this one.

A Word from Dan Harlacher, VP of Product at ON1

“With Resize AI 2026, we pushed to solve the biggest challenges in photo upscaling—restoring lost detail and texture without introducing weird artifacts. What’s impressive is that it works on a wide range of content: old digital photos, smartphone shots, AI-generated art, and even tight crops from long lenses. We’re proud of how well it holds up in these comparisons.”
— Dan Harlacher, ON1

What Makes Resize AI 2026 a Breakthrough?

• Two AI Models:
  • Highest Quality Model for maximum detail
  • Standard Model for speed and bulk editing
• Smarter Noise Cleanup
• Realistic Texture Recovery
• Perfect for Wildlife, Portraits, AI Art, and Prints
• Easy to Use on Any Image Type

Resize AI 2026 isn’t just better than our older version—it’s a big step forward in upscaling and photo enlargements.

Try ON1 Resize AI for Free

Want to see the difference for yourself?

Download the Free Trial of ON1 Resize AI 2026
See Full Feature List and Examples

Whether you’re printing photos, restoring old photos, or editing client images, Resize AI 2026 gives you the resolution you need.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Best AI Photo Enlargement Software

What makes ON1 Resize AI 2026 different from other photo upscaling software?

Resize AI 2026 includes two brand-new AI models—Highest Quality and Standard—designed to give better results than ever before. The Highest Quality model brings out more detail and texture, while the Standard model is faster and great for large batches. Both models outperform traditional resizing methods by delivering sharp, realistic photo enlargements.

Can I use Resize AI 2026 to enlarge AI-generated images or art?

Yes! Resize AI 2026 works especially well on AI-generated art and low-res digital graphics. The Highest Quality model helps retain clean edges, smooth gradients, and fine detail—perfect for these AI-generated images or stylized images that other tools might struggle with.

How does Resize AI 2026 compare to ON1 Resize AI 2023.5?

Resize AI 2026 takes a big step forward with two smarter AI models. The Highest Quality model offers better detail recovery and texture realism, while the Standard model gives you quicker results for everyday use. It also improves how noise and compression artifacts are handled compared to the 2023.5 version.

Is Resize AI 2026 good for making large prints?

Absolutely. Resize AI 2026 is built for photographers and artists who need to make big, sharp prints. Whether you’re printing a poster, canvas, or fine art piece, it can upscale your images cleanly while keeping textures and edges intact. It’s one of the best tools available for professional-quality photo enlargements.