Beam 1.0 501B A23B vs Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B
Pricing, context window and real answers (October 2026)
Beam 1.0 501B A23B (Reflection AI) and Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B (Qwen), 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 |  Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Reflection AI | Qwen |
| Input (per 1M tokens) | $0.422 | $2.20 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | $1.27 | $6.60 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | $1.06 | $5.50 |
| Context window | 1,048,576 tokens | 1,048,576 tokens |
| Release date | 10/16/2026 | 8/12/2026 |
| Input modalities | text | text |
| Throughput (p50) | — | 53 tokens/s (n=24) |
| Arena · overall | Unranked | Unranked |
| Arena · Japanese | Unranked | Unranked |
| Arena · coding | Unranked | Unranked |
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, 81% less than Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B.
- 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
Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B
To count the number of **“r”**s in **“strawberry”**, spell it out letter by letter:
**s t r a w b e r r y**
Now check each letter:
1. s — not r
2. t — not r
3. r — yes, count 1
4. a — not r
5. w — not r
6. b — not r
7. e — not r
8. r — yes, count 2
9. r — yes, count 3
10. y — not r
So there are **3** “r”s in **strawberry**.
1.3s203 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
Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B
The error happens because `users` is `undefined` when React tries to render this line:
```js
{users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
```
JavaScript cannot call `.map()` on `undefined`.
In your component:
```js
function UserList({ users }) {
return (
<ul>
{users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
</ul>
);
}
```
React expects `users` to be an array, but something is rendering `<UserList />` without providing a valid `users` prop.
---
## Common causes
### 1. The parent component is not passing `users`
For example:
```js
<UserList />
```
Instead of:
```js
<UserList users={users} />
```
---
### 2. The data has not loaded yet
If `users…
10.9s1318 output tokens
Professional Email
Write a professional email to a client explaining that the project delivery will be delayed by two weeks due to unexpected technical challenges discovered during integration testing. The tone should be apologetic but con…
Beam 1.0 501B A23B
**Subject:** Revised Delivery Timeline for [Project Name]
Dear [Client Name],
I’m writing to share an update on the delivery schedule for [Project Name]. During integration testing, our team identified some unexpected technical challenges that need to be resolved before we can deliver a stable, production-ready solution. As a result, we need to adjust our delivery date from [Original Delivery Date] to [Revised Delivery Date] — a two-week shift.
I want to be straightforward: this is not the update I hoped to send, and I’m sorry for the disruption this may cause to your planning. That said, we have full visibility into the issue and a clear, confident plan to resolve it.
**Revised timeline…
12.1s922 output tokens
Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B
Subject: Updated Project Timeline – Revised Delivery Date
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
I’m writing to provide an important update regarding the delivery timeline for [Project Name]. During our recent integration testing phase, we identified several unexpected technical challenges that require additional resolution to ensure the final deliverable meets the quality and performance standards we committed to.
After carefully reviewing the scope of these items with our technical team, we have determined that the project delivery will need to be extended by two weeks. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that we are taking imm…
4.6s449 output tokens
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Beam 1.0 501B A23B or Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B?
- Per 1M output tokens, Beam 1.0 501B A23B is $1.27 and Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B is $6.60 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 Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B compare?
- Beam 1.0 501B A23B takes 1,048,576 tokens; Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B takes 1,048,576.
- Can I use Beam 1.0 501B A23B and Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "beam-1.0" or "qwen3.8-2.4t-a95b" 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 Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.