Beam 1.0 501B A23B vs GPT-4.1 Nano
Pricing, context window and real answers (October 2026)
Beam 1.0 501B A23B (Reflection AI) and GPT-4.1 Nano (OpenAI), 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 |  GPT-4.1 Nano | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Reflection AI | OpenAI |
| Input (per 1M tokens) | $0.422 | $0.11 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | $1.27 | $0.44 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | $1.06 | $0.33 |
| Context window | 1,048,576 tokens | 1,047,576 tokens |
| Release date | 10/16/2026 | 4/14/2025 |
| Input modalities | text | image, text, file |
| Throughput (p50) | — | 210 tokens/s (n=26) |
| Arena · overall | Unranked | #258 · ELO 1,322 |
| Arena · Japanese | Unranked | #210 · ELO 1,233 |
| Arena · coding | Unranked | #240 · ELO 1,373 |
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, GPT-4.1 Nano: $0.44 per 1M output tokens, 65% less than Beam 1.0 501B A23B.
- For long documents, Beam 1.0 501B A23B: a 1,048,576-token context window against 1,047,576 for GPT-4.1 Nano.
- 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
GPT-4.1 Nano
Let's analyze the word "strawberry" step by step to count the number of 'r's.
1. Write down the word: **strawberry**
2. Examine each letter one by one:
- s: no
- t: no
- r: yes (first 'r')
- a: no
- w: no
- b: no
- e: no
- r: yes (second 'r')
- r: yes (third 'r')
- y: no
3. Counting the 'r's found:
- First 'r' (at position 3)
- Second 'r' (at position 8)
- Third 'r' (at position 9)
So, there are **3** 'r's in "strawberry."
**Final answer: 3**
2.0s183 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
GPT-4.1 Nano
The error:
```
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')
```
indicates that `users` is `undefined` at the time your `UserList` component is rendering, and you're trying to call `map` on it.
### Why is this happening?
In React, if a prop (`users` in this case) is not provided or is undefined, trying to do `users.map(...)` causes this error. This can happen if:
- The parent component does not pass `users`.
- `users` might be `null` or `undefined` initially, especially if data fetching is involved.
### How to fix it
**Option 1: Provide a default value for `users`**
Ensure that `users` defaults to an empty array if it is not provided:
```jsx
function UserList({ users…
4.3s514 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
GPT-4.1 Nano
Here's a review and an improved version of your function:
### Key improvements:
1. **Move imports to the top**: Imports should generally be at the top of the file, not inside functions.
2. **Specify exception types**: Catch specific exceptions rather than a generic `except`.
3. **Use context managers if needed**: Not necessary here, but good to consider.
4. **Avoid repeated code**: The sleep statement is the same whether there is a request exception or a non-200 status.
5. **Simplify filtering**: Use list comprehensions for clarity.
6. **Improve variable names**: For readability.
7. **Add optional headers or parameters** if needed (not required here).
8. **Optional:** Add more descriptive e…
3.4s391 output tokens
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Beam 1.0 501B A23B or GPT-4.1 Nano?
- Per 1M output tokens, Beam 1.0 501B A23B is $1.27 and GPT-4.1 Nano is $0.44 on FastMetal (US dollars, before tax), so GPT-4.1 Nano is cheaper.
- How do the context windows of Beam 1.0 501B A23B and GPT-4.1 Nano compare?
- Beam 1.0 501B A23B takes 1,048,576 tokens; GPT-4.1 Nano takes 1,047,576.
- Can I use Beam 1.0 501B A23B and GPT-4.1 Nano with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "beam-1.0" or "gpt-4.1-nano" 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 GPT-4.1 Nano from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.