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Qwen Image 3.0vs.Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. Neither is in the arena. Neither has an API price.

Same prompt, two images

Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.

Qwen Image 3.0: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
Qwen Image 3.023 out of 100
Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo39 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo ahead

Prompt given to both modelsCreate 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.

What the rating looks at: Legible text, hierarchy, and composition.

“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.

Test protocol of the images

Both models receive the same archived prompt in 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. The images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:34 PM. Source

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.018400, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:31 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 8c9db12ce993a7d600aebd4cbe10d368117fe4495d6ee7155e111e76e47d525a

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo image SHA 256: 60c270da7b2ace74fcac4f55b962d4e01fae99265874d25857e2b461c00f3666

Infographic

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:35 PM. Source

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.018400, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:31 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 4853b8bffa4d6e219e2c3f6b5d070b1d1eb57016a05bd8a5befd81e214018439

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo image SHA 256: 0650a13329baa39bb1923594082473a8138ecbe1ea95bb63017e7e1d76a7fafe

Product photography

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:33 PM. Source

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.018400, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:30 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 268ca5420bbc1efd428bdafd4da860106f9e2ccb17d3f96b8dbb208e360ed54f

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo image SHA 256: 012d9320a2759329277e1e730e51da03aa4a0d992017a218228f88f07771dc08

Typography and layout

Qwen Image 3.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.030000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:32 PM. Source

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.018400, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:30 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Qwen Image 3.0 image SHA 256: 09644f0a6d31fa5f78ae43e45544c8013b78e1a22f42c1b54c0142ea6c9cfa83

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo image SHA 256: a052bc14d0b36849b7bd6b38e368bf2bd11d68217ab675dbea3c58d8a62f34dd

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
n/a

Qwen Image 3.0

not in the arena

n/a

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
65

Qwen Image 3.0

Rank 15 of 74

67

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo

Rank 13 of 74

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
n/a

Qwen Image 3.0

no API price

n/a

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo

no API price

Ranks among the 22 image models with an arena rating and the 74 with a GraduallyBench run; prices compared with 28 models with an API price.

Qwen Image 3.0

Subscription
No Alibaba subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €19.04 a month (Magnific Premium, with limited credits). 6 plans in Germany.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API, Web app.
Weights
unknown.

Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API.
Weights
unknown.

Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.

GraduallyBench from Nov 1, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (34 days old)

All data side by side

The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.

KennzahlQwen Image 3.0Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is bettern/an/a
Arena rankn/an/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer ratingn/an/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006567
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition2339
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details8684
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency5953
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization9193
API price
Per imagelower is bettern/an/a
100 imagesn/an/a
Profile
Releasedn/an/a
Weightsopen means: runs locallyunknownunknown
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parametersnot publishednot published
Largest output2K2K
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model6n/a

API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.

Sources: Qwen Image 3.0 model source (verified Nov 1, 2026) · Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo model source (verified Nov 1, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for Qwen Image 3.0 and Qwen Image 2.1 Turbo from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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