Grok-3 vs Phi-4 Mini Reasoning
Grok-3 (2025) and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning (2026) are frontier-tier reasoning models from xAI and Microsoft Research. Grok-3 ships a 131k-token context window, while Phi-4 Mini Reasoning ships a 128k-token context window. On Google-Proof Q&A, Grok-3 leads by 32.6 pts. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads.
Phi-4 Mini Reasoning is safer overall; choose Grok-3 when long-context analysis matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Grok-3 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents | reasoning-heavy apps |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Long context |
| Context window | 131k | 128k |
| Cheapest output | $2.40/1M tokens | - |
| Provider routes | 4 tracked | 0 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | Google-Proof Q&A leader | 1 shared |
Decision tradeoffs
- Grok-3 holds a shared-benchmark lead on Google-Proof Q&A, ahead by 32.6 points.
- Grok-3 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Grok-3 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and route flexibility.
- Grok-3 uniquely exposes Vision, Multimodal, and JSON / Tool use in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Grok-3 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- 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.
Grok-3
$1,240
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Chutes 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 Grok-3 and Phi-4 Mini Reasoning; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision, Multimodal, and JSON / JSON / Tool use before moving production traffic.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Phi-4 Mini Reasoning and Grok-3; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Grok-3 adds Vision, Multimodal, and JSON / JSON / Tool use in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-02-17 | 2026-05-16 |
| Context window | 131k | 128k |
| Parameters | — | 3.8B |
| Architecture | - | - |
| License | Proprietary | MITOSI-approved |
| Openness | Proprietary | Open source |
| Weights | Not released | Unknown |
| Code | Unknown | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: conditional | Commercial use: permitted |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2025-04 | 2025-02 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Grok-3 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.80/1M tokens | - |
| Output price | $2.40/1M tokens | - |
| Providers | - |
Capabilities
| Capability | Grok-3 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | No |
| Multimodal | Yes | No |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| JSON / Tool use | Yes | No |
| Structured outputs | Yes | No |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Grok-3 | Phi-4 Mini Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Google-Proof Q&A | 84.6 | 52.0 |
Continue comparing
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-10. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.