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

MiniMax Image-01 vs Imagen 4

Newest: Imagen 4 · Image editing: Neither edits images · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. MiniMax

    MiniMax Image-01

    Released Feb 15, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove MiniMax Image-01

  2. Google

    Imagen 4

    Released May 22, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,128
    • From$0.04/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Imagen 4

  3. Add a model

    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.

  • NewestImagen 4MiniMax Image-01 Feb 15, 2025 · Imagen 4 May 22, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsMiniMax Image-01: Text prompts · Imagen 4: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: MiniMax Image-01 no · Imagen 4 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsImagen 4MiniMax Image-01: 0 · Imagen 4: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

MiniMax Image-01 vs Imagen 4 specifications side by side
SpecificationMiniMax Image-01MiniMaxImagen 4Google
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,128 ±3#43 of 82 · 539,657 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.04/image standard
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts—1
ReleasedFeb 15, 2025May 22, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, MiniMax Image-01 or Imagen 4?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

Which is cheaper?

Imagen 4 costs from $0.04/image (standard). MiniMax Image-01 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between MiniMax Image-01 and Imagen 4?

MiniMax Image-01 is an image model from MiniMax (Feb 15, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images. Imagen 4 is an image model from Google (May 22, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

MiniMax Image-01 Feb 15, 2025; Imagen 4 May 22, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: MiniMax Image-01 no; Imagen 4 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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