Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning)

Elite Intelligence, Premium Cost, Massive Context

Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning)

A top-tier reasoning model from Alibaba, offering exceptional intelligence and a vast context window, but at a higher price point.

Top-Tier IntelligenceAdvanced Reasoning262k ContextOpen LicenseHigh VerbosityPremium Pricing

The Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) model, developed by Alibaba, stands out as a formidable contender in the landscape of large language models. Positioned as a leading model for complex analytical and reasoning tasks, it consistently demonstrates superior intelligence benchmarks. With a remarkable score of 54 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, it significantly surpasses the average model score of 26, placing it at an impressive #2 out of 44 models evaluated. This model is engineered for depth and precision, making it an excellent choice for applications demanding high-fidelity understanding and intricate problem-solving capabilities.

One of Qwen3 Next 80B A3B's most compelling features is its expansive 262k token context window. This allows the model to process and retain an extraordinary amount of information within a single interaction, enabling it to handle extensive documents, long-form conversations, and highly complex data sets without losing coherence or context. This large context window, combined with its advanced reasoning capabilities, makes it particularly well-suited for tasks such as detailed code analysis, comprehensive legal document review, scientific research synthesis, and multi-turn conversational AI where maintaining a deep understanding of prior interactions is crucial.

While its performance metrics are undeniably impressive, the Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) model comes with a premium price tag. Our analysis reveals an average input token price of $0.50 per 1M tokens and an output token price of $6.00 per 1M tokens, both of which are substantially higher than the market averages of $0.20 and $0.57 respectively. This cost profile necessitates careful consideration for deployment, especially for high-volume or iterative tasks. However, for applications where accuracy, depth of reasoning, and the ability to process vast amounts of information are paramount, the investment in Qwen3 Next 80B A3B can be justified by its unparalleled performance.

The model's 'Reasoning' variant specifically highlights its optimization for logical inference, problem-solving, and structured thought processes. This specialization makes it a powerful tool for developers and enterprises building AI systems that require more than just generative capabilities – systems that need to understand, analyze, and derive conclusions from complex inputs. Its open license further enhances its appeal, offering flexibility for integration and customization within various proprietary and open-source ecosystems, albeit with the understanding that its operational costs will be a significant factor.

Scoreboard

Intelligence

54 (#2 / 44 / 44)

A top-tier performer, scoring well above the average of 26 on the Intelligence Index.
Output speed

N/A tokens/s

Overall speed is not provided, but provider-specific speeds vary widely.
Input price

$0.50 per 1M tokens

Somewhat expensive, 2.5x the average input token price of $0.20.
Output price

$6.00 per 1M tokens

Very expensive, over 10x the average output token price of $0.57.
Verbosity signal

100M tokens

Extremely verbose, generating 7.7x more tokens than the average of 13M during evaluation.
Provider latency

N/A seconds

Model-wide latency not available; provider performance varies significantly.

Technical specifications

Spec Details
Owner Alibaba
License Open
Context Window 262k tokens
Input Type Text
Output Type Text
Model Type Reasoning
Model Size 80 Billion Parameters
Intelligence Index Score 54
Intelligence Index Rank #2 / 44
Intelligence Index Verbosity 100M tokens
Input Price (Upcube Avg) $0.50 / 1M tokens
Output Price (Upcube Avg) $6.00 / 1M tokens
Total Evaluation Cost $629.41

What stands out beyond the scoreboard

Where this model wins
  • **Exceptional Intelligence**: Ranks #2 overall, demonstrating superior understanding and analytical capabilities.
  • **Advanced Reasoning**: Specifically optimized for complex logical inference and problem-solving tasks.
  • **Massive Context Window**: A 262k token context allows for processing and retaining vast amounts of information.
  • **Open License**: Offers flexibility for integration and customization in diverse environments.
  • **High Verbosity**: Capable of generating detailed and comprehensive outputs, ideal for in-depth analysis.
  • **Complex Task Handling**: Excels in scenarios requiring deep comprehension and structured output.
Where costs sneak up
  • **High Output Token Price**: At $6.00/1M tokens, it's significantly more expensive than most models, impacting long-form generation.
  • **Above Average Input Price**: Input costs are also elevated, making large input contexts more costly.
  • **Blended Price Variability**: While some providers offer competitive blended rates, others are very expensive.
  • **Evaluation Cost**: The model's evaluation alone incurred a substantial cost of $629.41, indicating high operational expenses.
  • **Provider-Specific Cost Spikes**: Certain providers have disproportionately high input or output token prices, requiring careful selection.

Provider pick

Selecting the right API provider for Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) is crucial for optimizing both performance and cost. Our benchmarks reveal significant differences across providers in terms of output speed, latency, and pricing structures. The ideal choice will depend heavily on your primary operational priorities.

Priority Pick Why Tradeoff to accept
**Overall Value** Hyperbolic Offers the best blended price ($0.30/M), highest output speed (339 t/s), and lowest output token price ($0.30/M). Latency is not the absolute lowest (0.57s).
**Lowest Latency** Clarifai Achieves the lowest latency (0.30s), closely followed by Google Vertex. Significantly higher blended price ($1.08/M) and input/output token prices.
**Lowest Input Cost** Google Vertex Ties for the lowest input token price ($0.15/M) and offers competitive latency (0.32s) and blended price ($0.41/M). Output speed is the slowest (159 t/s) among benchmarked providers.
**Maximum Output Speed** Hyperbolic Delivers the fastest output speed (339 t/s), making it ideal for high-throughput applications. Latency is not the absolute best, and input price is higher than some competitors.
**Balanced Performance** Together.ai Provides a good balance of output speed (231 t/s) and latency (0.47s) at a reasonable blended price ($0.49/M). Output token price is on the higher side ($1.50/M).
**Cost-Conscious (Input Focus)** Novita Ties for lowest input token price ($0.15/M) with a competitive blended price ($0.49/M). Highest latency (1.10s) and high output token price ($1.50/M).

Provider performance and pricing can fluctuate. Always verify current rates and benchmark against your specific use case.

Real workloads cost table

Understanding the real-world cost implications of Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) requires looking beyond per-token prices. Below are estimated costs for various common scenarios, using the model's average input price of $0.50/1M tokens and output price of $6.00/1M tokens. These estimates highlight how the model's high output token cost can significantly impact total expenditure, especially for verbose tasks.

Scenario Input Output What it represents Estimated cost
**Short Q&A** 1,000 tokens 200 tokens Answering a concise question based on a short document. $0.0017
**Detailed Report Generation** 5,000 tokens 2,000 tokens Summarizing a complex article into a detailed report. $0.0145
**Code Review (Medium)** 10,000 tokens 1,000 tokens Analyzing a medium-sized code snippet and providing feedback. $0.0110
**Long-form Content Creation** 2,000 tokens 5,000 tokens Drafting a blog post or article from a brief outline. $0.0310
**Complex Reasoning Task** 20,000 tokens 3,000 tokens Solving a multi-step logical puzzle or performing deep data analysis. $0.0280
**Legal Document Analysis** 50,000 tokens 4,000 tokens Extracting key clauses and summarizing a long legal contract. $0.0465

These scenarios illustrate that while input costs are manageable for typical prompts, the high output token price of Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) means that tasks requiring extensive generation will quickly accumulate significant costs. Strategic prompt engineering to control output length is paramount.

How to control cost (a practical playbook)

Given the premium pricing of Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning), implementing a robust cost management strategy is essential to maximize its value without incurring excessive expenses. Here are key tactics to consider:

Optimize Prompt Engineering

Crafting concise and effective prompts can drastically reduce both input and output token usage. Focus on clarity and directness to guide the model efficiently.

  • **Be Specific**: Clearly define the desired output format and content.
  • **Use Examples**: Provide few-shot examples to steer the model towards desired responses, reducing trial-and-error.
  • **Constraint Output Length**: Explicitly ask the model to limit its response to a certain number of sentences, paragraphs, or tokens.
Strategic Provider Selection

As shown in our provider analysis, costs and performance vary significantly. Choose a provider that aligns with your primary needs.

  • **Prioritize Value**: For general use, Hyperbolic offers the best blended price and output speed.
  • **Latency-Sensitive**: If speed of response is critical, Clarifai or Google Vertex are strong contenders despite higher costs.
  • **Input-Heavy Tasks**: Google Vertex or Novita might be more cost-effective for scenarios with very large inputs and smaller outputs.
Control Output Verbosity

Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) is highly verbose, which can be costly. Implement strategies to manage the length of generated responses.

  • **Set Token Limits**: Use API parameters to cap the maximum number of output tokens.
  • **Iterative Generation**: Break down complex generation tasks into smaller, controlled steps.
  • **Post-Processing**: Use a cheaper, smaller model or custom logic to condense or filter the output from Qwen3 Next 80B A3B.
Leverage Caching and Deduplication

For repetitive queries or common requests, caching previous model responses can save significant costs.

  • **Implement a Cache Layer**: Store frequently requested outputs and serve them directly without re-querying the model.
  • **Semantic Deduplication**: For similar but not identical queries, consider if a slightly varied cached response is acceptable.
  • **Pre-computation**: For static or slowly changing data, pre-compute model outputs and store them.
Batch Processing

Where possible, consolidate multiple smaller requests into a single, larger batch request to potentially reduce overhead and improve efficiency.

  • **Group Similar Queries**: Combine multiple independent prompts into one API call if the provider supports it.
  • **Asynchronous Processing**: For non-real-time tasks, queue requests and process them in batches during off-peak hours.

FAQ

What is Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning)?

Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) is an advanced large language model developed by Alibaba. It is specifically optimized for complex reasoning, analytical tasks, and deep understanding, featuring a massive 262k token context window and an open license.

How does its intelligence compare to other models?

It is a top-tier model, scoring 54 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it at #2 out of 44 models. This is significantly higher than the average score of 26, indicating superior intelligence and reasoning capabilities.

Why is Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) considered expensive?

Its average input token price ($0.50/1M) is 2.5 times the market average, and its output token price ($6.00/1M) is over 10 times the market average. This premium pricing reflects its high performance and advanced capabilities, but requires careful cost management.

What are its primary use cases?

Due to its high intelligence, reasoning capabilities, and large context window, it excels in tasks such as detailed document analysis (legal, scientific), complex problem-solving, code review, long-form content generation requiring deep understanding, and advanced conversational AI.

Which API provider is best for Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning)?

The best provider depends on your priority: Hyperbolic offers the best overall value (speed, blended price), Clarifai provides the lowest latency, and Google Vertex is cost-effective for input tokens. Together.ai offers a balanced performance.

What is the context window size of this model?

Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) boasts an impressive 262k token context window, allowing it to process and maintain context over exceptionally long inputs and conversations.

Is Qwen3 Next 80B A3B (Reasoning) an open-source model?

Yes, it is released under an open license by Alibaba, providing flexibility for developers and organizations to integrate and customize it within their applications.


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