Beam 1.0 501B A23B vs GLM 5.2
Pricing, context window and real answers (October 2026)
Beam 1.0 501B A23B (Reflection AI) and GLM 5.2 (Z.ai), compared as you can actually call them on FastMetal. Both are served from the same OpenAI-compatible endpoint and API key; switching is a change to the model string.
Specs and pricing
| Beam 1.0 501B A23B |  GLM 5.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Reflection AI | Z.ai |
| Input (per 1M tokens) | $0.422 | $1.48 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | $1.27 | $4.65 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | $1.06 | $3.80 |
| Context window | 1,048,576 tokens | 1,048,576 tokens |
| Release date | 10/16/2026 | 6/16/2026 |
| Input modalities | text | text |
| Throughput (p50) | — | — |
| Arena · overall | Unranked | #32 · ELO 1,476 |
| Arena · Japanese | Unranked | #34 · ELO 1,455 |
| Arena · coding | Unranked | #48 · ELO 1,513 |
Prices are FastMetal's rates, before tax.
Rankings: LMArena leaderboard dataset (lmarena-ai/leaderboard-dataset), CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-10-15; category names mapped and ratings rounded by FastMetal.
Which should you pick?
- On price, Beam 1.0 501B A23B: $1.27 per 1M output tokens, 73% less than GLM 5.2.
- If in doubt, try both on the same key. Switching is a change to the model string, and each is billed at its own rate.
Real answers to the same prompts
Exactly what the FastMetal gateway returned, side by side. Not benchmark scores: actual output.
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'. Explain your reasoning step by step.
Beam 1.0 501B A23B
The word “strawberry” is spelled:
s - t - r - a - w - b - e - r - r - y
The letter “r” appears in these positions:
- s**r**awberry (1st r)
- strawbe**r**ry (2nd r)
- strawber**r**y (3rd r)
Therefore, there are **3** r's in “strawberry.”
7.6s278 output tokens
GLM 5.2
To count the number of 'r's in the word 'strawberry', let's look at the word letter by letter:
1. **s** - no 'r'
2. **t** - no 'r'
3. **r** - this is the 1st 'r'
4. **a** - no 'r'
5. **w** - no 'r'
6. **b** - no 'r'
7. **e** - no 'r'
8. **r** - this is the 2nd 'r'
9. **r** - this is the 3rd 'r'
10. **y** - no 'r'
Total count: 3
There are **3** 'r's in the word 'strawberry'.
2.6s439 output tokens
Debug This Error
I'm getting the following error in my Node.js application: TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map') at UserList (/app/components/UserList.js:12:25) at renderWithHooks (/app/node_modules/rea…
Beam 1.0 501B A23B
The error means `users` is `undefined` when `UserList` renders, so calling `.map` on `undefined` throws.
### Common causes
1. Parent renders `<UserList />` without a `users` prop.
2. Parent passes `users={data}` where `data` is still `undefined` (e.g., fetch not resolved).
3. Destructured prop name mismatch.
### Fixes
**1. Default the prop**
```js
function UserList({ users = [] }) {
return (
<ul>
{users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
</ul>
);
}
```
**2. Guard in JSX**
```js
{Array.isArray(users) && users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
```
**3. Optional chaining**
```js
{users?.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
```
Note…
12.8s414 output tokens
GLM 5.2
The error `TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')` happens because the `users` prop being passed to your `UserList` component is currently `undefined`. When JavaScript tries to call `.map()` on `undefined`, it throws this error.
Here are the best ways to fix this:
### Fix 1: Provide a default value (Recommended)
You can provide a default empty array `[]` when destructuring the props. This ensures that even if `users` is not passed down, the `.map()` function will still have an array to iterate over (resulting in an empty list rather than a crash).
```jsx
function UserList({ users = [] }) {
return (
<ul>
{users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</…
8.3s1006 output tokens
Code Review
Please review the following Python function and suggest improvements for readability, performance, and best practices: def get_data(url, retries=3): import requests import time for i in range(retries):…
Beam 1.0 501B A23B
Here are some key issues and improvements:
### Main issues in the original
- **Imports inside the function** run on every call and hurt readability.
- **Bare `except:`** catches `KeyboardInterrupt`, `SystemExit`, and programming errors.
- **Retries every non-200 response**, including `404`/`400`, which usually should not be retried.
- **`item["active"] == True`** can raise `KeyError` and is stricter than necessary unless you truly need exact boolean equality.
- **Fixed sleep and unnecessary final sleep** before returning.
- **Repeated `item["name"]` / `item["id"]`** lookups are slightly slower and less clean than a comprehension.
- No handling/validation for malformed JSON or non-list respo…
16.8s1927 output tokens
GLM 5.2
Here is a review of your Python function, broken down by readability, performance, and best practices, followed by a refactored version of the code.
### 1. Best Practices
* **Move imports to the top:** Importing modules inside a function is generally discouraged. While Python caches imports, putting `import requests` and `import time` at the top of your file is the standard convention and improves readability.
* **Avoid bare `except:` blocks:** Using a bare `except:` catches everything, including `KeyboardInterrupt` and `SystemExit`. This makes it hard to interrupt your program if it gets stuck in a loop. You should catch specific exceptions, such as `requests.exceptions.RequestException` (…
10.9s2061 output tokens
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Beam 1.0 501B A23B or GLM 5.2?
- Per 1M output tokens, Beam 1.0 501B A23B is $1.27 and GLM 5.2 is $4.65 on FastMetal (US dollars, before tax), so Beam 1.0 501B A23B is cheaper.
- How do the context windows of Beam 1.0 501B A23B and GLM 5.2 compare?
- Beam 1.0 501B A23B takes 1,048,576 tokens; GLM 5.2 takes 1,048,576.
- Can I use Beam 1.0 501B A23B and GLM 5.2 with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "beam-1.0" or "glm-5.2" as the model. Each is billed at its own rate from the same prepaid balance.
Try both on one API key
Create an account and add credit to call Beam 1.0 501B A23B and GLM 5.2 from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.