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Head-to-head comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. FLUX.2 Max

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series
14
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
2026-08-26

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 Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Max
AttributeGrok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Max
ProviderxAIBlack Forest Labs
ReleasedApril 2026December 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output2K4 Megapixel
Arena configurationQualityMax
Text-to-image price$50 per 1,000 images$70 per 1,000 images
Editing price$50 per 1,000 images$140 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
Grok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Max
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Grok Imagine Image QualityLower price$50
FLUX.2 Max$70
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Grok Imagine Image QualityLower price$50
FLUX.2 Max$140

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

Grok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Max
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality65.4 / 100
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score85.2 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality4.9 / 100
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score56.8 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality59.3 / 100
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score80.3 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality21 / 100
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score29.6 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Max
BenchmarkGrok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Max
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
65.4 / 100
Mean rank: 10.33 (7 / 9 / 15)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score85.2 / 100
Mean rank: 5 (4 / 4 / 7)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
4.9 / 100
Mean rank: 26.67 (27 / 25 / 28)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1 / 2
Time: 0.67 / 2
Watch details: 1 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score56.8 / 100
Mean rank: 12.67 (14 / 11 / 13)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
59.3 / 100
Mean rank: 12 (18 / 10 / 8)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1.33 / 2
Props: 1.33 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score80.3 / 100
Mean rank: 6.33 (8 / 5 / 6)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1.33 / 2
Props: 1.33 / 2
Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
21 / 100
Mean rank: 22.33 (23 / 22 / 22)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 0.67 / 2
Diagram: 1.67 / 2
Clarity: 0.33 / 2
Higher blind-rank score29.6 / 100
Mean rank: 20 (22 / 18 / 20)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.33 / 2
Labels: 1 / 2
Diagram: 1 / 2
Clarity: 0.67 / 2

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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.

10 shared result series
Grok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 Max
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityNo clear lead1,235 Elo
FLUX.2 Max1,226 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,225 Elo
FLUX.2 Max1,201 Elo
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,207.187
FLUX.2 Max1,161.008
LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,210.217
FLUX.2 Max1,170.168
LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,227.232
FLUX.2 Max1,169.225
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,224.523
FLUX.2 Max1,164.635
LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,228.14
FLUX.2 Max1,161.939
LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,242.93
FLUX.2 Max1,160.771
LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,271.787
FLUX.2 Max1,156.957
LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher score1,249.616
FLUX.2 Max1,167.156

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Max
BenchmarkGrok Imagine Image QualityFLUX.2 MaxSource
Text to Image Arena
No clear lead1,235 Elo
Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 15,970 ratings
1,226 Elo
Rank 18, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,112 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena
Higher score1,225 Elo
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,235 ratings
1,201 Elo
Rank 20, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,113 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling
Higher score1,207.187
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±9.22, 4,538 ratings
1,161.008
Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,589 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art
Higher score1,210.217
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±7.93, 6,779 ratings
1,170.168
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,564 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon
Higher score1,227.232
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.12, 18,027 ratings
1,169.225
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.36, 42,916 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design
Higher score1,224.523
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,674 ratings
1,164.635
Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.03, 44,254 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall
Higher score1,228.14
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±4.23, 48,786 ratings
1,161.939
Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,464 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism
Higher score1,242.93
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 20,413 ratings
1,160.771
Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 50,664 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits
Higher score1,271.787
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.36, 10,165 ratings
1,156.957
Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±6.03, 26,790 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering
Higher score1,249.616
Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 16,688 ratings
1,167.156
Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.27, 40,386 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

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 Max, Character and detail
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Character and detail
Grok Imagine Image Quality
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 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 Max, image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 0267e820f1d771485d5a0e44b93a6b996c2fb12f6547a199eb3c22d4cf8e21f3

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

FLUX.2 Max, Infographic
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Infographic
Grok Imagine Image Quality
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 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 Max, image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 46911d2cf3eb49e0c0439477c802fc24910b2658b19d562a327af2e1b3f3faf1

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

FLUX.2 Max, Product photography
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Product photography
Grok Imagine Image Quality
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 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 Max, image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 3c90a7839c60af903a8abb6d7b2b4af4df1320aabffcc84361491964161bcf9e

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

FLUX.2 Max, Typography and layout
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Typography and layout
Grok Imagine Image Quality
FLUX.2 Max
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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 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 Max, image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 10a63b4db9e0b1529ab3d891fdb504c5716d30aff6a5cc7bd0312790105eba22

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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