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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Grok Imagine Image Quality

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

11

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for GPT Image 2 and Grok Imagine Image Quality
AttributeGPT Image 2Grok Imagine Image Quality
ProviderOpenAIxAI
ReleasedApril 2026April 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K2K
Arena configurationHighQuality
Text-to-image price$211 per 1,000 images$50 per 1,000 images
Editing price$211 per 1,000 images$50 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
GPT Image 2Grok Imagine Image Quality
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Grok Imagine Image Quality$50Lower price
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Grok Imagine Image Quality$50Lower price

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

11 shared result series
GPT Image 2Grok Imagine Image Quality
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370 EloHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,237 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,258 EloHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228 Elo
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,207.187 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,210.217 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,227.232 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,224.523 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228.14 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,242.93 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,271.787 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,249.616 arena points
Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,362.394 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Grok Imagine Image Quality
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Grok Imagine Image QualitySource
Text to Image Arena
1,370 EloHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 13,336 ratings
1,237 Elo
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 16,074 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,258 EloHigher arena score
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,142 ratings
1,228 Elo
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,088 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings
1,207.187 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±9.22, 4,538 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings
1,210.217 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±7.93, 6,779 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings
1,227.232 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.12, 18,027 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings
1,224.523 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,674 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings
1,228.14 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±4.23, 48,786 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings
1,242.93 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 20,413 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings
1,271.787 arena points
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.36, 10,165 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings
1,249.616 arena points
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 16,688 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±3.94, 184,189 ratings
1,362.394 arena points
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±3.64, 155,532 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

GPT Image 2, Character and detail
GPT Image 2
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Character and detail
Grok Imagine Image Quality
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: db4ca97dc43effd578430b77f8ca559c7dd5cbe60e663ba9ecc2e89a33480b0d

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: b6cccae7af9a70af45a46b9e3264fa6971101e04979f7a0539e889ba6521250a

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 5eb607f5dab8f6ef684eb315d3cae08e7d962bb6df6b77aaf88a64e0dc5665eb

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 2, Infographic
GPT Image 2
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Infographic
Grok Imagine Image Quality
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: ed741d3d120188b9286d3576e7dcd3ace9dd7792978d4d5426022f32ed7ca381

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 03fbeae7859be72584048dfc23fba0651220ab44c707da66c386b77d90cc86f7

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: f576589c9e48139779b3876e26e751fa6282caa2363332dff24d10409696b3d7

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2, Product photography
GPT Image 2
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Product photography
Grok Imagine Image Quality
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 7b27ff2c9b64529a36bebf2d572c3448f26e68f3e9d1ac6a3f2b5ead8698f60f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 0ea1e48f20bf61ff10414398b5248b0496c9040b3868c915580efd11d0dbaf11

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 9320d8ca97077311b8f57251645ad46aa9fe084e77bbdfb99f5543d8db898855

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2, Typography and layout
GPT Image 2
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Typography and layout
Grok Imagine Image Quality
Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 473a774dfe9f9b7bb597e9e8b63af4e770b6bc4e7f8bc90682636db3516e7353

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 84d88fb03bdbba672fc91268f4c120b17a19e4c9d637425aeca8ed44b2397d9f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 46fe1175225b4b1ddc97b59b3735541cd5b214e0226e1ef1f2c3cf02beaf8485

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

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