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Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

GPT Image 1 Mini vs Qwen-Image

Preferred for text to image: GPT Image 1 Mini · Newest: GPT Image 1 Mini · Widest inputs: GPT Image 1 Mini. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. OpenAI

    GPT Image 1 Mini

    Released Sep 26, 2025Deprecated

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,124
    • From$0.033/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 1 Mini

  2. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image

    Released Aug 7, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,057
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image

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    Make it a three-way comparison.

01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • Preferred for text to imageGPT Image 1 MiniGPT Image 1 Mini 1,109 (#54) · Qwen-Image 1,057 (#66) — blind human votes
  • NewestGPT Image 1 MiniGPT Image 1 Mini Sep 26, 2025 · Qwen-Image Aug 7, 2025
  • Widest inputsGPT Image 1 MiniGPT Image 1 Mini: Text prompts, Reference images · Qwen-Image: Text prompts
  • Image editingGPT Image 1 MiniTakes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 Mini yes · Qwen-Image no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachGPT Image 1 Mini: 1 · Qwen-Image: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 1 Mini vs Qwen-Image specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT Image 1 MiniOpenAIQwen-ImageAlibaba (Qwen)
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,109 ±3#54 of 82 · 170,993 votes (best)1,057 ±3#66 of 82 · 84,534 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,124 ±3#58 of 61 · 682,755 votes—
Price
Starting price$0.033/image 1024×1024—
How it is billedMeasured cost of one square image at default settings.—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per requestUp to 10—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Max reference images16—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API model IDgpt-image-1-mini—
API hosts11
ReleasedSep 26, 2025Aug 7, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 1 Mini or Qwen-Image?

For text to image, voters prefer GPT Image 1 Mini (GPT Image 1 Mini 1,109 (#54) · Qwen-Image 1,057 (#66)). Arena scores come from blind, side-by-side human votes on the same prompts; when the gap is inside both models’ error margins we call it a tie. Test your own prompts before you commit.

Which is cheaper?

GPT Image 1 Mini costs from $0.033/image (1024×1024). Qwen-Image has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between GPT Image 1 Mini and Qwen-Image?

GPT Image 1 Mini is an image model from OpenAI (Sep 26, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Qwen-Image is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Aug 7, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

GPT Image 1 Mini Sep 26, 2025; Qwen-Image Aug 7, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 Mini yes; Qwen-Image no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.

04 — Keep comparing

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