Google's latest Imagen 4.0 text-to-image generation model with significantly better text rendering and overall image quality
Settled by community votes across 8 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
17.1
arena score
#55 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
· Text-to-Image
Qwen Image Max
21.3
arena score
#35 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
0.0%
win rate
Ties
0.0%
Qwen Image Max
100.0%
win rate
0.0%
0.0% ties
100.0%
Shared challenges
8
Challenge by challenge
The strongest take from each model on every shared challenge, with the AI judge's read.
Geometric Composition
Text-to-Image“A glass cube on a wooden table. Inside the cube is a small blue sphere. On top of the cube sits a red book. A green plant is behind the cube, partially visible through the glass. Soft window light from the left.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Excellent photorealism in the book texture and table finish.
- + Clean, sharp geometry of the glass cube.
- + Accurate soft lighting from the left according to the prompt.
- − The glass appears more like mirrors or a solid block rather than a hollow cube containing a sphere.
Qwen Image Max
- + The cube clearly looks hollow with glass panes, as requested.
- + The green plant is more distinctly visible through the glass panels.
- + Creative lighting effect with shadows across the wooden table.
- − The sphere's reflection on the right panel is slightly misaligned.
- − The book has some graphical artifacts/black shapes on the cover that weren't requested.
Verdict: Both models followed the complex spatial instructions perfectly. Imagen 4.0 Generate 001 produced a more polished, high-end photographic look, though the cube looks solid. Qwen Image Max better captured the 'glass cube' aspect by making it look like a hollow container, which makes the inclusion of the sphere more logical.
Fantasy Warrior
Text-to-Image“Close portrait of a battle-worn paladin in ornate engraved plate armor, hair braided with small beads, faint scars and dirt on the skin, warm torchlight reflecting off metal, shallow depth of field, bokeh sparks, lifelike eyes, highly detailed texture on leather straps and cloth underlayer.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Extremely clean and intricate engraving on the armor
- + High-quality leather texture on straps
- + Clearly defined torchlight lighting effects
- − Hair looks more like tubes or metal coils than actual braided hair with beads
- − Character looks significantly less battle-worn or scarred than requested
Qwen Image Max
- + Excellent depiction of a battle-worn character with realistic dirt and scars
- + Successful interpretation of braided hair with decorative beads
- + Strong lifelike quality in the eyes and facial expression
- − Armor engravings are slightly more muddy compared to the other model
- − The background torch has some minor blooming artifacts
Verdict: Qwen Image Max is the clear winner as it captures the emotional depth and 'battle-worn' aesthetic requested in the prompt, featuring realistic scarring and hair braiding. Imagen 4.0 produces very clean armor textures, but the hair looks artificial and the character appears too pristine for a veteran paladin.
Magic Burger Explosion: Fiery Photorealism Challenge
Text-to-Image“Ad for 'Magic Burger'. Dynamic, exploded burger with all components (bun, patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sauce) suspended in mid-air. Emphasize photorealistic detail and a sense of motion. Dark, fiery background with glowing embers. Integrate text: 'MAGIC BURGER' as a prominent title, 'LIMITED TIME ONLY' as a secondary message, and '€6.99' in a starburst, all rendered with a fiery, glowing effect.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Perfectly executes the 'exploded burger' concept with clear separation of every layer.
- + Excellent text legibility and clean graphic design for all three requested copy elements.
- + Very high photorealistic detail in the food textures, especially the buns and lettuce.
- − The lighting on the burger feels a bit disconnected from the dark background.
- − The 'MAGIC BURGER' text lacks the requested fiery/glowing effect, appearing more like a simple flat glow.
Qwen Image Max
- + Superior integration of the fiery theme with dynamic lighting and literal fire on the text.
- + High sense of motion with debris and blurred elements flying outwards.
- + Excellent rendering of the 'starburst' for the price tag as requested.
- − Fails the 'exploded burger' prompt; the burger is mostly assembled rather than having suspended mid-air components.
- − The lettuce and tomato on the right side look slightly artificial and pasted on.
Verdict: Imagen 4.0 followed the structural instructions much better, providing the specific 'exploded' layout requested which is a hallmark of this type of food photography. Qwen Image Max created a more visceral and exciting atmosphere with better fiery effects on the text, but it failed to separate the burger components into the requested mid-air suspension. Imagen 4.0 is preferred for its technical adherence to the layout and superior food realism.
The Capybara Taxi Driver
Text-to-Image“Photorealistic scene inside a yellow New York taxi at night. A capybara is driving, wearing a yellow taxi driver cap and a dark jacket. It has a calm, professional expression and both front paws on the steering wheel. In the back seat sits a human businesswoman in a coat, looking at her phone with a completely normal, bored expression (as if this is just another normal ride). Through the windows you can see the streets of Manhattan at night with blurred lights. Realistic taxi interior, photorealistic, detailed fur and fabric, 35mm lens, night lighting with reflections, shallow depth of field.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Excellent adherence to the facial expressions for both the capybara and the passenger.
- + Very clean, high-resolution visual quality with no significant artifacts.
- + Perfect composition that clearly shows both subjects and the city context.
- − The hands/paws of the capybara appear more like bird talons or sharp claws than actual capybara paws.
- − The 'TAXI' sign on top is visible through the roof, which is physically impossible from that internal perspective.
Qwen Image Max
- + Features a gritty, realistic taxi interior with wear and tear like ceiling cracks.
- + Great profile view of the capybara with realistic fur texture.
- + Strong sense of light and atmosphere from the city streets.
- − The capybara's hands/paws are rendered looking like human hands covered in dark hair, which is unsettling.
- − The passenger is partially cut off and her bored expression is less clear than in the other model.
Verdict: Imagen 4.0 Generate 001 is the superior image due to its clean composition and better adherence to the specific characters' expressions requested. While Qwen Image Max has a more atmospheric and 'lived-in' interior, it suffers from anatomical issues with the hands and a less effective layout for the storytelling described in the prompt.
The Halloween Invitation
Text-to-Image“Vintage gothic Halloween party invitation. Dark parchment poster, spooky border with webs and thorns, central glowing jack-o-lantern, bats, twisted trees, moody night sky. Add elegant gothic title text saying "Halloween Party Invitation", a small scroll banner saying "You are invited to a night of frights", and event details at the bottom: Date: 30.10.2026 Time: 7pm Location: The Arches, NYC Spooky but polished, cinematic lighting, square format.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Excellent typography rendering with zero spelling errors
- + Polished and clean vector-style illustration
- + Creative use of a rolled scroll on the left border
- − The 'parchment' effect is limited to a single scroll rather than the whole background as requested
- − Composition feels slightly more like a modern graphic than a vintage poster
Qwen Image Max
- + Perfect adherence to the 'vintage dark parchment' aesthetic
- + Highly detailed and atmospheric background with moody lighting
- + Consistent gothic theme throughout all elements including the border
- − Minor text artifacts in the event details section
- − The pumpkin is placed behind the scroll, making it slightly less central
Verdict: Both models followed the complex text and thematic requirements exceptionally well. Imagen 4.0 provides a cleaner, more readable graphic with perfect spelling, but Qwen Image Max captures the 'vintage gothic' atmosphere much more effectively with its parchment texture and cinematic background lighting.
Isometric Miniature Diorama Scenes
Text-to-Image“Create a clear, 45° top-down isometric miniature 3D cartoon scene of Japan's signature dish: sushi, with soft refined textures, realistic PBR materials, gentle lighting, on a small raised diorama base with minimal garnish and plate. Solid light blue background. At top-center: 'JAPAN' in large bold text, 'SUSHI' below it, small flag icon. Perfectly centered, ultra-clean, high-clarity, square format.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Excellent realistic PBR materials and textures on the sushi ingredients
- + Effective 45-degree isometric-style composition
- + Clean, high-quality lighting and miniature feel
- − Failed to include 'JAPAN' and 'SUSHI' text
- − Missing the flag icon
- − Background color is greyish-white rather than the requested light blue
Qwen Image Max
- + Perfect adherence to all text and icon requirements
- + Precisely follows the light blue background and isometric diorama base prompt
- + Vibrant 3D cartoon style with high clarity
- − The textures are more plastic-like compared to the realistic PBR requested
- − Minor artifacts in the salmon nigiri texturing
Verdict: While Imagen 4.0 produces a highly realistic and visually stunning miniature image, it completely failed to follow the text and symbolic instructions in the prompt. Qwen Image Max followed every specific instruction, including the blue background, the diorama base, and all requested text/icon elements, making it the clear winner for prompt adherence.
Adorable Baby Animals in Sunny Meadow
Text-to-Image“Hyper-photorealistic scene of fluffy baby animals—a golden retriever puppy, tabby kitten, baby bunny, and red fox kit—with big expressive eyes and ultra-detailed soft fur, playfully chasing butterflies and tumbling together in a lush wildflower meadow, warm golden sunrise light with god rays and dew sparkles, joyful wholesome vibe, 8K masterpiece.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
0% wins
0% ties
100% wins
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Includes all requested animals: puppy, kitten, bunny, and fox.
- + Clean, vibrant illustration style with well-defined dew sparkles.
- + High clarity and excellent composition of the central subjects.
- − Has a more 'digital painting' look rather than the requested hyper-photorealistic style.
- − The kittens' paws and body segments are slightly anatomically confusing.
Qwen Image Max
- + Achieves a much higher level of photorealism with realistic fur and skin textures.
- + Excellent lighting with visible god rays and a warm sunrise atmosphere.
- + Captures multiple butterflies as requested in the prompt.
- − Fails to include the baby bunny, a specific requirement of the prompt.
- − Contains a duplicated animal (two golden retriever puppies) instead of the bunny.
- − Minor anatomical artifact with the fox's front paw touching the puppy.
Verdict: Imagen 4.0 followed the prompt more accurately by including all four specified animals (puppy, kitten, bunny, fox), whereas Qwen Image Max missed the bunny entirely and duplicated the puppy. However, Qwen Image Max produced a much more realistic and атмосферный image that aligns better with the 'hyper-photorealistic' and 'god rays' aspect of the request. Since Imagen 4.0 adhered to the core content requirements while maintaining high quality, it is the more reliable output.
Vintage Cafe Logo
Text-to-Image“Vintage minimalist restaurant logo for "Caffè Florian", retro cloche dome with steam and "Est. 1720" banner, classic typography, warm brown and cream tones, subtle texture on light background, vector emblem style.”
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
Qwen Image Max
AI Judge Analysis
Imagen 4.0 Generate 001
- + Clean vector aesthetic that matches the minimalist request
- + Perfect spelling and character rendering
- + Balanced, modern-vintage composition
- − Steam lines are a bit generic
- − The banner is very simple and lacks the vintage detail of a traditional emblem
Qwen Image Max
- + Beautifully detailed steam and cloche illustration
- + Rich vintage texture and woodcut-style shading
- + Typography feels more historically appropriate for 1720
- − Small spelling error with an extra 'F' in 'CAFFÉ'
- − Background texture is a bit heavy-handed compared to the requested 'subtle' texture
Verdict: Imagen 4.0 delivers a clean, modern minimalist logo that perfectly follows the spelling and vector style requested. Qwen Image Max offers a much more authentic vintage feel with superior artistic detail, but contains a typo in the main brand name. Imagen 4.0 is the winner for its precision and adherence to the minimalist vector brief.
Next steps
Explore each model
The Max series of Tongyi Qwen’s image generation model excels across a wide range of generation tasks. Compared with the Plus series, it significantly reduces the “AI-like” feel in generated images, enhancing their realism. It delivers more lifelike material textures for human subjects, finer and more detailed natural textures, and more visually appealing text rendering.