Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview): The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) 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.

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct

Other

Reasoning: 4
Coding: 1
Multimodal: 1
Long Context: 2
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.015
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: —

Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)

Other

Reasoning: 8
Coding: 2
Multimodal: 3
Long Context: 4
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.002
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 60.08tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct` vs `Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)`.

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 Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) debate, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct scores 40 against Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)'s 80. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) comparison.

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

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct300ms

Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)300ms

Tokens per Second

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct66

Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)60.08

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The Economics of Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview)

Power is only one part of the equation. This Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) 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, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct would cost $0.018, whereas Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) would cost $0.003. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) choice.

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Which Model Wins the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) Battle for You?

Choose Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct if...

Cost is a secondary concern to power in your Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) decision.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Your use case demands cutting-edge AI performance.

Choose Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) if...

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

Your budget is a primary consideration in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) choice.

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

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Your Questions about the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 Max Thinking (Preview) Comparison

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Data source: https://artificialanalysis.ai/