Head-to-head comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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.

shared result series

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

First image modelSecond image model

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 Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Attribute	Grok Imagine Image Quality	FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Provider	xAI	Black Forest Labs
Released	April 2026	January 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, local
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Open weights
Parameters	Not published	9 billion
Maximum output	2K	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	Quality	9B
Text-to-image price	$50 per 1,000 images	$15 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$50 per 1,000 images	$17 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Grok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Klein 9B

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50

FLUX.2 Klein 9B$15Lower price

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50

FLUX.2 Klein 9B$17Lower 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

Grok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Klein 9B

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,237 EloHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,149 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228 EloHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,168 Elo

Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,207.187 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,078.396 arena points

Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,210.217 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,078.844 arena points

Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,227.232 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,063.975 arena points

Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,224.523 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,069.649 arena points

Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228.14 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,069.517 arena points

Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,242.93 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,090.118 arena points

Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,271.787 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,092.062 arena points

Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,249.616 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,057.362 arena points

Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,362.394 arena pointsHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Klein 9B1,224.433 arena points

Arena benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Klein 9B
Benchmark	Grok Imagine Image Quality	FLUX.2 Klein 9B	Source
Text to Image Arena	1,237 EloHigher arena score Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 16,074 ratings	1,149 Elo Rank 60, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 7,939 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena	1,228 EloHigher arena score Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,088 ratings	1,168 Elo Rank 30, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 11,020 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling	1,207.187 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±9.22, 4,538 ratings	1,078.396 arena points Rank 54, 95% confidence interval: ±6.95, 13,814 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art	1,210.217 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±7.93, 6,779 ratings	1,078.844 arena points Rank 53, 95% confidence interval: ±6.28, 19,055 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon	1,227.232 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.12, 18,027 ratings	1,063.975 arena points Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±5.01, 53,034 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design	1,224.523 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,674 ratings	1,069.649 arena points Rank 56, 95% confidence interval: ±4.59, 55,183 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall	1,228.14 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±4.23, 48,786 ratings	1,069.517 arena points Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±3.25, 142,762 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism	1,242.93 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 20,413 ratings	1,090.118 arena points Rank 54, 95% confidence interval: ±4.7, 60,335 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits	1,271.787 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.36, 10,165 ratings	1,092.062 arena points Rank 55, 95% confidence interval: ±5.73, 32,758 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering	1,249.616 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 16,688 ratings	1,057.362 arena points Rank 56, 95% confidence interval: ±4.77, 51,643 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall	1,362.394 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±3.64, 155,532 ratings	1,224.433 arena points Rank 35, 95% confidence interval: ±2.9, 507,400 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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, Character and detail — FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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.

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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1587849924, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: b6cccae7af9a70af45a46b9e3264fa6971101e04979f7a0539e889ba6521250a

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 5eb607f5dab8f6ef684eb315d3cae08e7d962bb6df6b77aaf88a64e0dc5665eb

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: 84eceab680e59de6b9d4e68b3c21f6515ce093ff7d110992049e847570dd565f

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, Infographic — FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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.

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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1082231541, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 03fbeae7859be72584048dfc23fba0651220ab44c707da66c386b77d90cc86f7

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: f576589c9e48139779b3876e26e751fa6282caa2363332dff24d10409696b3d7

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: 1d2eb263ca5a25794a88df7bb04f5c13e10ed9a289371d1dcc7ed6d6e0a297e2

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, Product photography — FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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.

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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1388538280, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:39 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 0ea1e48f20bf61ff10414398b5248b0496c9040b3868c915580efd11d0dbaf11

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 9320d8ca97077311b8f57251645ad46aa9fe084e77bbdfb99f5543d8db898855

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: e7208f19ccfb9b810b9648cb1861797b7155ad91933d1660059236cef413ebe0

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, Typography and layout — FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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.

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
FLUX.2 Klein 9B. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1340991019, estimated cost $0.006291, model ID fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 84d88fb03bdbba672fc91268f4c120b17a19e4c9d637425aeca8ed44b2397d9f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 46fe1175225b4b1ddc97b59b3735541cd5b214e0226e1ef1f2c3cf02beaf8485

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, image SHA 256: c5f23870e70f2245d24a3689f2579ceb770e5edf8c3c89b7d6ed7ae138f262f6

FLUX.2 Klein 9B, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

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.

More matchups

Compare Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Klein 9B with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images from documented runs

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons