Head-to-head comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. FLUX.2 Max

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 Max
Attribute	Grok Imagine Image Quality	FLUX.2 Max
Provider	xAI	Black Forest Labs
Released	April 2026	December 2025
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	2K	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	Quality	Max
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 source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model 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 Quality$50Lower price

FLUX.2 Max$70

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

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50Lower price

FLUX.2 Max$140

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 Max

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

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,237 EloNo clear arena lead

FLUX.2 Max1,232 Elo

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

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228 EloHigher arena score

FLUX.2 Max1,201 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 Max1,161.008 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 Max1,170.168 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 Max1,169.225 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 Max1,164.635 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 Max1,161.939 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 Max1,160.771 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 Max1,156.957 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 Max1,167.156 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 Max1,261.798 arena points

Arena benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Max
Benchmark	Grok Imagine Image Quality	FLUX.2 Max	Source
Text to Image Arena	1,237 EloNo clear arena lead Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 16,074 ratings	1,232 Elo Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,235 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena	1,228 EloHigher arena score Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,088 ratings	1,201 Elo Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 9,965 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	1,161.008 arena points Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,589 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	1,170.168 arena points Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,564 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	1,169.225 arena points Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.36, 42,916 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	1,164.635 arena points Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.03, 44,254 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	1,161.939 arena points Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,464 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	1,160.771 arena points Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 50,664 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	1,156.957 arena points Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±6.03, 26,790 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	1,167.156 arena points Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.27, 40,386 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	1,261.798 arena points Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±3.19, 353,111 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 Max, Character and detail — 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

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.

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 — 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.

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 — 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.

More matchups

Compare Grok Imagine Image Quality and FLUX.2 Max 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 Max

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

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