Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low): The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, Nova 2.0 Lite (low) remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) 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.

Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning)

Anthropic

Reasoning: 9
Coding: 5
Multimodal: 4
Long Context: 6
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.010
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 82.635tokens/sec

Nova 2.0 Lite (low)

Other

Reasoning: 5
Coding: 1
Multimodal: 2
Long Context: 3
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.001
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 242.68tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning)` vs `Nova 2.0 Lite (low)`.

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 Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) debate, Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) scores 90 against Nova 2.0 Lite (low)'s 50. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) comparison.

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

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning)300ms

Nova 2.0 Lite (low)300ms

Tokens per Second

Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning)82.635

Nova 2.0 Lite (low)242.68

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The Economics of Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low)

Power is only one part of the equation. This Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) 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, Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) would cost $0.011, whereas Nova 2.0 Lite (low) would cost $0.001. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) choice.

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Which Model Wins the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) Battle for You?

Choose Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) if...

Your top priority is raw performance and capability.

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

Cost is a secondary concern to power in your Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) decision.

Choose Nova 2.0 Lite (low) if...

You need a highly responsive model for user-facing applications.

Your budget is a primary consideration in the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) choice.

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

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Your Questions about the Claude Opus 4.5 (Reasoning) vs Nova 2.0 Lite (low) Comparison

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Data source: https://artificialanalysis.ai/