Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct: The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, Gemma 3 12B Instruct remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct comparison will break down every critical metric to help you make the best decision.

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Model Snapshot

Key decision metrics at a glance.

Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning)

xAI

Reasoning: 9
Coding: 3
Multimodal: 3
Long Context: 4
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.000
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 169.644tokens/sec

Gemma 3 12B Instruct

Google

Reasoning: 2
Coding: 1
Multimodal: 1
Long Context: 1
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.015
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 40.889tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning)` vs `Gemma 3 12B Instruct`.

Benchmark Breakdown

For a granular look, this chart directly compares scores across standardized benchmarks. In the critical MMLU Pro test, a key part of the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct debate, Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) scores 90 against Gemma 3 12B Instruct's 20. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct comparison.

This grouped bar chart provides a side-by-side comparison for each benchmark metric.

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning)300ms

Gemma 3 12B Instruct300ms

Tokens per Second

Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning)169.644

Gemma 3 12B Instruct40.889

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The Economics of Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct

Power is only one part of the equation. This Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct pricing analysis gives you a true sense of value.

Pricing Breakdown

Compare input and output pricing at a glance.

Real-World Cost Scenario

To process 1M input tokens and generate 250k output tokens, Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) would cost $0.000, whereas Gemma 3 12B Instruct would cost $0.018. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct choice.

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Which Model Wins the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct Battle for You?

Choose Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) if...

Your top priority is raw performance and capability.

You are working in a technical or scientific field requiring the highest accuracy.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Choose Gemma 3 12B Instruct if...

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

You prioritize cost-effectiveness over maximum performance.

Your workload requires consistent, reliable performance.

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Your Questions about the Grok 4 Fast (Reasoning) vs Gemma 3 12B Instruct Comparison

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Data source: https://artificialanalysis.ai/