DeepSeek V3 0324 vs Phi-4 Mini Reasoning
DeepSeek V3 0324 (2025) and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning (2026) are frontier reasoning models from DeepSeek and Microsoft Research. DeepSeek V3 0324 ships a 160K-token context window, while Phi-4 Mini Reasoning ships a 128K-token context window. On Google-Proof Q&A, DeepSeek V3 0324 leads by 35.6 pts. This comparison covers specs, pricing, capabilities, benchmarks, provider availability, and production fit. It focuses on practical selection signals rather than broad model-family marketing.
Phi-4 Mini Reasoning is safer overall; choose DeepSeek V3 0324 when long-context analysis matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | provider-routed production | reasoning-heavy apps |
| Decision fit | Coding, Agents, and Long context | Long context |
| Context window | 160K | 128K |
| Cheapest output | $1.12/1M tokens | - |
| Provider routes | 3 tracked | 0 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | Google-Proof Q&A leader | 1 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- DeepSeek V3 0324 leads the largest shared benchmark signal on Google-Proof Q&A by 35.6 points.
- DeepSeek V3 0324 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- DeepSeek V3 0324 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek V3 0324 for Coding, Agents, and Long context.
- Phi-4 Mini Reasoning uniquely exposes Reasoning in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Phi-4 Mini Reasoning for Long context.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
DeepSeek V3 0324
$496
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Novita AI
Phi-4 Mini Reasoning
Unavailable
No complete token price in local provider data
Cost delta unavailable until both models have sourced input and output token prices.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for DeepSeek V3 0324 and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Phi-4 Mini Reasoning adds Reasoning in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Phi-4 Mini Reasoning and DeepSeek V3 0324; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Reasoning before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-03-24 | 2026-05-16 |
| Context window | 160K | 128K |
| Parameters | 671B | 3.8B |
| Architecture | decoder only | - |
| License | Open Source | Proprietary |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2025-02 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.27/1M tokens | - |
| Output price | $1.12/1M tokens | - |
| Providers | - |
Capabilities
| Capability | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | No |
| Multimodal | No | No |
| Reasoning | No | Yes |
| Function calling | No | No |
| Tool use | No | No |
| Structured outputs | No | No |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Google-Proof Q&A | 87.6 | 52.0 |
Deep dive
On shared benchmark coverage, Google-Proof Q&A has DeepSeek V3 0324 at 87.6 and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning at 52, with DeepSeek V3 0324 ahead by 35.6 points. The largest visible gap is 35.6 points on Google-Proof Q&A, which matters most when that benchmark mirrors your workload. Treat isolated benchmark wins as directional, because provider routing, prompt style, and tool access can move real application results.
The capability footprint differs most on reasoning mode: Phi-4 Mini Reasoning. Both models share the core language-model surface, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
Pricing coverage is uneven: DeepSeek V3 0324 has $0.27/1M input tokens and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning has no token price sourced yet. Provider availability is 3 tracked routes versus 0. Treat unknown pricing as an integration gap, then verify the route you will actually call before estimating production spend.
Choose DeepSeek V3 0324 when long-context analysis, larger context windows, and broader provider choice are central to the workload. Choose Phi-4 Mini Reasoning when reasoning depth are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Phi-4 Mini Reasoning?
DeepSeek V3 0324 supports 160K tokens, while Phi-4 Mini Reasoning supports 128K tokens. That gap matters most for long documents, large codebases, retrieval-heavy agents, and conversations where earlier context must remain visible.
Is DeepSeek V3 0324 or Phi-4 Mini Reasoning open source?
DeepSeek V3 0324 is listed under Open Source. Phi-4 Mini Reasoning is listed under Proprietary. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for reasoning mode, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Phi-4 Mini Reasoning?
Phi-4 Mini Reasoning has the clearer documented reasoning mode signal in this comparison. If reasoning mode is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run DeepSeek V3 0324 and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning?
DeepSeek V3 0324 is available on Fireworks AI, Microsoft Foundry, and Novita AI. Phi-4 Mini Reasoning is available on the tracked providers still being sourced. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
When should I pick DeepSeek V3 0324 over Phi-4 Mini Reasoning?
Phi-4 Mini Reasoning is safer overall; choose DeepSeek V3 0324 when long-context analysis matters. If your workload also depends on long-context analysis, start with DeepSeek V3 0324; if it depends on reasoning depth, run the same evaluation with Phi-4 Mini Reasoning.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-22. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.