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Head-to-head comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. GPT Image 2.5 Flare

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
7
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
2026-10-15

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 GPT Image 2.5 Flare
AttributeGrok Imagine Image QualityGPT Image 2.5 Flare
ProviderxAIOpenAI
ReleasedApril 2026September 8, 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
LifecycleDeprecated: xAI retires the model slug on November 2, 2026; requests are then served by grok-imagine-image-2.0 (quality=low) Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output2KNot consistently published
Arena configurationNo separate configuration namedNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$50 per 1,000 images$210.7 per 1,000 images
Editing price$50 per 1,000 images$210.7 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-09-22
Grok Imagine Image QualityGPT Image 2.5 Flare
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Grok Imagine Image QualityLower price$50
GPT Image 2.5 Flare$210.7
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Grok Imagine Image QualityLower price$50
GPT Image 2.5 Flare$210.7

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Both checkpoints completed the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, 30 archived first outputs are 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 QualityGPT Image 2.5 Flare
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image QualityHigher blind-rank score83.9 / 100
GPT Image 2.5 Flare33.3 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality4.6 / 100
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher blind-rank score43.7 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality18.4 / 100
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher blind-rank score87.3 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each
Grok Imagine Image Quality23 / 100
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher blind-rank score60.9 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and GPT Image 2.5 Flare
BenchmarkGrok Imagine Image QualityGPT Image 2.5 Flare
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
Higher blind-rank score83.9 / 100
Mean rank: 5.67 (2 / 9 / 6)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.67 / 2
Layout: 1.67 / 2
33.3 / 100
Mean rank: 20.33 (21 / 17 / 23)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
4.6 / 100
Mean rank: 28.67 (28 / 29 / 29)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1 / 2
Time: 1.67 / 2
Watch details: 1.67 / 2
Photography: 1 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Higher blind-rank score43.7 / 100
Mean rank: 17.33 (19 / 10 / 23)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.67 / 2
Time: 1.67 / 2
Watch details: 1 / 2
Photography: 1.67 / 2
Exclusions: 1.67 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
18.4 / 100
Mean rank: 24.67 (28 / 25 / 21)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1 / 2
Wardrobe: 1 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score87.3 / 100
Mean rank: 4.67 (2 / 1 / 11)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1 / 2
Wardrobe: 1 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
23 / 100
Mean rank: 23.33 (27 / 22 / 21)
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 score60.9 / 100
Mean rank: 12.33 (12 / 11 / 14)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 1 / 2
Diagram: 1.67 / 2
Clarity: 1 / 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.

3 shared result series
Grok Imagine Image QualityGPT Image 2.5 Flare
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,043 Elo
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher score1,190 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,081 Elo
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher score1,161 Elo
LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Grok Imagine Image Quality1,391.162
GPT Image 2.5 FlareHigher score1,481.016

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and GPT Image 2.5 Flare
BenchmarkGrok Imagine Image QualityGPT Image 2.5 FlareSource
Text to Image Arena
1,043 Elo
Rank 17, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 17,693 ratings
Higher score1,190 Elo
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 12,778 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
Image Editing Arena
1,081 Elo
Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 6,225 ratings
Higher score1,161 Elo
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 17,496 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
LMArena Image Editing: Overall
1,391.162
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±5.6, 38,195 ratings
Higher score1,481.016
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±5.28, 57,408 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-10-15

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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Character and detail
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Character and detail
Grok Imagine Image Quality
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-flare, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, image SHA 256: 85b17c41b19389cae3ea073ef582e6065a321d741978e772987d22e3ea3e3b08

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, request SHA 256: e1238a1112d45fcc4474ed85f5504be75304152073d5f320d732f5b8c431c759

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Infographic
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Infographic
Grok Imagine Image Quality
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-flare, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, image SHA 256: bc752abfce1c0d27b73e4084c3e7d82c4c0f71e0e5af97a80f4b24326cc4686e

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, request SHA 256: 8cd44a51b90bec6394d45d678bdfaa16e0fe014a237582999a2370b2e3db1c0b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Product photography
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Product photography
Grok Imagine Image Quality
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-flare, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, image SHA 256: 69fedb7d635d1329c461ff1ee9e5cf8384119e218e3b3bdb93b9e11f728335d8

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, request SHA 256: a305103045fa5c2ede55b612333ab07c44dc0128f3d2faec67b8a117e52a82f0

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Typography and layout
Grok Imagine Image Quality, Typography and layout
Grok Imagine Image Quality
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-flare, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:52 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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, image SHA 256: cc90d54a99e1bad9e0cc8e4196746fb1d56a2fdd2a9ee101dbbf270ef5e4b6a8

GPT Image 2.5 Flare, request SHA 256: ec1fe63f04c319c731a93750e3d864df87e3f36142b33d88a3e1b5c5971aa2a5

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

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