Model Comparison

GPT-4.1 mini vs Phi-3.5-mini-instructWhich is better in 2026?

GPT-4.1 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is 7.0x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4.1 mini vs Phi-3.5-mini-instruct — which is better?

GPT-4.1 mini (by OpenAI) and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct (by Microsoft) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 3 benchmarks (GPQA, MMLU, MMMLU), while Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is better at 0 benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is roughly 7.0x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4.1 mini also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4.1 mini if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 3 of 3 shared benchmarks
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Apr 2025

Choose Phi-3.5-mini-instruct if…

  • cost matters — it's about 7.0x cheaper per token
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 3 benchmarks (GPQA, MMLU, MMMLU), while Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is better at 0 benchmarks.

GPT-4.1 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct costs less

For input processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($0.40/1M tokens) is 4.0x more expensive than Phi-3.5-mini-instruct ($0.10/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($1.60/1M tokens) is 16.0x more expensive than Phi-3.5-mini-instruct ($0.10/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4.1 mini is more expensive than Phi-3.5-mini-instruct.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input tokens$0.40
Output tokens$1.60
Best providerOpenAI
Microsoft
Phi-3.5-mini-instruct
Input tokens$0.10
Output tokens$0.10
Best providerAzure
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4.1 mini accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to Phi-3.5-mini-instruct's 128,000 tokens. Phi-3.5-mini-instruct can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while GPT-4.1 mini is limited to 32,768 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Microsoft
Phi-3.5-mini-instruct
Input128,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

GPT-4.1 mini supports multimodal inputs, whereas Phi-3.5-mini-instruct does not.

GPT-4.1 mini can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.

GPT-4.1 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GPT-4.1 mini is licensed under a proprietary license, while Phi-3.5-mini-instruct uses MIT.

License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.

GPT-4.1 mini

Proprietary

Closed source

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

MIT

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14, while Phi-3.5-mini-instruct was released on 2024-08-23.

GPT-4.1 mini is 8 months newer than Phi-3.5-mini-instruct.

GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.2 years ago

7mo newer
Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

Aug 23, 2024

1.8 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while Phi-3.5-mini-instruct's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-4.1 mini's training data extends to 2024-05-31, but cannot make a direct comparison without Phi-3.5-mini-instruct's cutoff date.

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

—

Provider Availability

GPT-4.1 mini is available from OpenAI. Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is available from Azure.

GPT-4.1 mini

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.40/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.60/1M

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

azure logo
Azure
Input Price:Input: $0.10/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.10/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Larger context window (1,047,576 tokens)
Supports multimodal inputs
Higher GPQA score (65.0% vs 30.4%)
Higher MMLU score (87.5% vs 69.0%)
Higher MMMLU score (78.5% vs 55.4%)
Microsoft
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Has open weights
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini
MicrosoftPhi-3.5-mini-instruct
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Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Microsoft
Phi-3.5-mini-instruct

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 mini vs Phi-3.5-mini-instruct.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 mini or Phi-3.5-mini-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is made by Microsoft. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4.1 mini compare to Phi-3.5-mini-instruct in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 mini scores CharXiv-D: 88.4%, MMLU: 87.5%, IFEval: 84.1%, MMMLU: 78.5%, MathVista: 73.1%. Phi-3.5-mini-instruct scores GSM8k: 86.2%, ARC-C: 84.6%, RULER: 84.1%, PIQA: 81.0%, OpenBookQA: 79.2%.

Is GPT-4.1 mini cheaper than Phi-3.5-mini-instruct?

Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is 4.0x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4.1 mini costs $0.40/M input and $1.60/M output via openai. Phi-3.5-mini-instruct costs $0.10/M input and $0.10/M output via azure.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct supports 128K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct?

Key differences include context window (1.0M vs 128K), input pricing ($0.40 vs $0.10/M), multimodal support (yes vs no), licensing (Proprietary vs MIT). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini is developed by OpenAI and Phi-3.5-mini-instruct is developed by Microsoft.

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