Qwen3.8 Max vs Solar Mini 4
Pricing, context window and real answers (September 2026)
Qwen3.8 Max (Qwen) and Solar Mini 4 (Upstage), 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
 Qwen3.8 Max | Solar Mini 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Qwen | Upstage |
| Input (per 1M tokens) | ¥357.4 | ¥8.94 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | ¥1,072.2 | ¥35.74 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | ¥894 | ¥27 |
| Context window | 1,000,000 tokens | 524,288 tokens |
| Release date | 8/3/2026 | 9/23/2026 |
| Input modalities | text, image | text |
| Throughput (p50) | — | — |
| Arena · overall | #22 · ELO 1,481 | Unranked |
| Arena · Japanese | #18 · ELO 1,469 | Unranked |
| Arena · coding | #24 · ELO 1,522 | Unranked |
Prices are FastMetal's yen rates before tax. Arena ranks are as of the latest leaderboard scrape.
Which should you pick?
- On price, Solar Mini 4: ¥35.74 per 1M output tokens, 97% less than Qwen3.8 Max.
- For long documents, Qwen3.8 Max: a 1,000,000-token context window against 524,288 for Solar Mini 4.
- 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.
Qwen3.8 Max
The word **strawberry** is spelled:
**s t r a w b e r r y**
Now count the letter **r**:
1. s
2. t
3. **r** ← first r
4. a
5. w
6. b
7. e
8. **r** ← second r
9. **r** ← third r
10. y
There are **3** letters **r** in **strawberry**.
3.5s156 output tokens
Solar Mini 4
Sure! Let’s count the letter **'r'** in the word **'strawberry'** step by step.
**Step 1: Write out the word and its letters**
`s t r a w b e r r y`
**Step 2: Go through each letter one by one and check if it is 'r'**
1. `s` → not 'r'
2. `t` → not 'r'
3. `r` → **yes** (1st 'r')
4. `a` → not 'r'
5. `w` → not 'r'
6. `b` → not 'r'
7. `e` → not 'r'
8. `r` → **yes** (2nd 'r')
9. `r` → **yes** (3rd 'r')
10. `y` → not 'r'
**Step 3: Tally the total**
Total 'r' count = 3
**Final answer:** There are **3** letter 'r's in the word **'strawberry'**.
2.5s239 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…
Qwen3.8 Max
The error means `users` is `undefined` when `UserList` tries to render:
```js
{users.map(user => ...)}
```
JavaScript cannot call `.map()` on `undefined`, so React throws:
```text
Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')
```
## Most likely cause
The parent component is rendering `UserList` without passing a valid `users` array, or it is passing `users` before the data has loaded.
For example:
```jsx
<UserList />
```
or:
```jsx
<UserList users={undefined} />
```
or:
```jsx
const [users, setUsers] = useState(); // undefined initially
```
Then later:
```jsx
<UserList users={users} />
```
On the first render, `users` is still `undefined`.
---
## Fix 1: Give `users` a d…
17.7s1020 output tokens
Solar Mini 4
This error occurs because the `users` prop being passed to your `UserList` component is `undefined` (or the component is rendered without that prop), and your code tries to call `.map()` on it.
### 🔍 Why this happens
In JavaScript, `undefined.map` is not a function, so calling it throws:
```
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')
```
This commonly happens when:
- The parent component doesn't pass the `users` prop at all
- The parent passes `users` as `undefined`, `null`, or a non-array value (like a promise, object, or string)
- Data hasn't finished loading yet (e.g., fetched from an API asynchronously)
### ✅ How to fix it
The most robust solution is to provide a…
9.2s701 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…
Qwen3.8 Max
Subject: Revised Project Delivery Timeline – Updated Schedule and Next Steps
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to provide an update on the current status of the project and to inform you that, during our recent integration testing phase, we encountered several unexpected technical challenges that will impact the original delivery timeline. After careful review with the technical team, we now anticipate the revised delivery date will be [insert date – two weeks from original delivery date].
Please accept my sincere apologies for this delay. We understand the importance of this project and the expectations tied to the original schedule. While this situati…
11.9s547 output tokens
Solar Mini 4
Subject: Update on Project Delivery Timeline – Revised Schedule
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to inform you of a revised delivery schedule for [Project Name]. Due to unexpected technical challenges identified during integration testing, we anticipate that the final delivery will be delayed by two weeks from the original timeline.
We sincerely apologize for this development. We understand the impact this has on your planning, and we want to assure you that we are treating this with the utmost urgency and focus. We do not take these challenges lightly, and we are fully committed to maintaining the quality and reliability of the solution.
Please find…
4.6s457 output tokens
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Qwen3.8 Max or Solar Mini 4?
- Per 1M output tokens, Qwen3.8 Max is ¥1,072.2 and Solar Mini 4 is ¥35.74 on FastMetal (yen, before tax), so Solar Mini 4 is cheaper.
- How do the context windows of Qwen3.8 Max and Solar Mini 4 compare?
- Qwen3.8 Max takes 1,000,000 tokens; Solar Mini 4 takes 524,288.
- Can I use Qwen3.8 Max and Solar Mini 4 with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "qwen3.8-max" or "solar-mini4" 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 Qwen3.8 Max and Solar Mini 4 from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.