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GPT-4.1 mini vs Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

GPT-4.1 mini leads the LLM Stats Score 14.0 to 2.8. Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is 11.2x cheaper per token.

OpenAI · Microsoft · Updated for 2026

Which is better?

GPT-4.1 mini leads the overall LLM Stats Score 14.0 to 2.8, ranking #239 overall.

In the 2 individual benchmarks reported for both models, GPT-4.1 mini wins 2; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.

On price, Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is roughly 11.2x 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.

Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.

Choose GPT-4.1 mini

  • overall performance matters — it scores 14.0 and ranks #239 on LLM Stats
  • your work emphasizes reasoning — it leads those capability indexes
  • you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 2 of 2 exact shared results
  • 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-4-multimodal-instruct

  • cost matters — it's about 11.2x cheaper per token
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

At a glance

The differences that matter most.

GPT-4.1 mini
OpenAI
Phi-4-multimodal-instruct
Microsoft
Core performance indexes
LLM Stats Score
14.0
#239
2.8
#312
Reasoning
13.9
#232
-0.2
#320
Cost, coverage & limits
Benchmark wins
2 of 2
0 of 2
Input price
$0.40 / M
$0.05 / M
Output price
$1.60 / M
$0.10 / M
Context window
1,047,576
128,000

Capability indexes

Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks

2 shared
Index
GPT-4.1 mini
Phi-4-multimodal-instruct
Vision
9.1#133
1.6#172
Multimodal
15.8#85
3.6#141
Conservative TrueSkill rating · higher is betterHow scores work

Individual benchmarks

28 reported for GPT-4.1 mini · 15 for Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

2 shared

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 2 benchmarks (MathVista, MMMU), while Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is better at 0 benchmarks.

GPT-4.1 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Mon Sep 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Human preference

Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct costs less

For input processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($0.40/1M tokens) is 8.0x more expensive than Phi-4-multimodal-instruct ($0.05/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($1.60/1M tokens) is 16.0x more expensive than Phi-4-multimodal-instruct ($0.10/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4.1 mini is more expensive than Phi-4-multimodal-instruct.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Mon Sep 21 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input tokens$0.40
Output tokens$1.60
Best providerOpenAI
Microsoft
Phi-4-multimodal-instruct
Input tokens$0.05
Output tokens$0.10
Best providerDeepinfra
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-4-multimodal-instruct's 128,000 tokens. Phi-4-multimodal-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-4-multimodal-instruct
Input128,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Mon Sep 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input capabilities

Documented input modalities across available providers

Both GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct support multimodal inputs.

They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.

GPT-4.1 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GPT-4.1 mini is licensed under a proprietary license, while Phi-4-multimodal-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-4-multimodal-instruct

MIT

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14, while Phi-4-multimodal-instruct was released on 2025-02-01.

GPT-4.1 mini is 2 months newer than Phi-4-multimodal-instruct.

GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.4 years ago

2mo newer
Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

Feb 1, 2025

1.6 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while Phi-4-multimodal-instruct has a cutoff of 2024-06-01.

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct has more recent training data (up to 2024-06-01), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to GPT-4.1 mini (2024-05-31).

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

Jun 2024

1 mo newer

Provider Availability

GPT-4.1 mini is available from OpenAI. Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is available from DeepInfra.

GPT-4.1 mini

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

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct

deepinfra logo
Deepinfra
Input Price:Input: $0.05/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.10/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4.1 mini
✓ Preferred
Phi-4-multimodal-instruct
Open in Playground

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 mini vs Phi-4-multimodal-instruct.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 mini or Phi-4-multimodal-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini leads the LLM Stats Score 14.0 to 2.8. GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is made by Microsoft. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their capability indexes, individual benchmarks, pricing, and limits above.

How does GPT-4.1 mini compare to Phi-4-multimodal-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-4-multimodal-instruct scores ScienceQA Visual: 97.5%, DocVQA: 93.2%, MMBench: 86.7%, POPE: 85.6%, OCRBench: 84.4%.

Is GPT-4.1 mini cheaper than Phi-4-multimodal-instruct?

Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is 8.0x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4.1 mini costs $0.40/M input and $1.60/M output via openai. Phi-4-multimodal-instruct costs $0.05/M input and $0.10/M output via deepinfra.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens and Phi-4-multimodal-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-4-multimodal-instruct?

Key differences include LLM Stats Score (14.0 vs 2.8), context window (1.0M vs 128K), input pricing ($0.40 vs $0.05/M), licensing (Proprietary vs MIT). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4.1 mini and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct?

GPT-4.1 mini is developed by OpenAI and Phi-4-multimodal-instruct is developed by Microsoft.

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