Hy3 preview is $0.12 cheaper per 1M input tokens (40% lower; 1.67x difference).
API cost decision in 10 seconds
MiniMax M3 (batch) vs Hy3 preview
Pick Hy3 preview for lower cost; pick MiniMax M3 (batch) only if the larger context window matters more.
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Data confirmed:
Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens
Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output
Budget verdict
Pick Hy3 preview for lower cost; pick MiniMax M3 (batch) only if the larger context window matters more.
On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Hy3 preview is estimated at $0.48 vs $0.9 for MiniMax M3 (batch), saving $0.42 (46.7% lower).
Cost-first pickHy3 preview
Context-first pickMiniMax M3 (batch)
Sample savings$0.4246.7%
10x traffic gap$4.2
MiniMax M3 (batch) has more context, but Hy3 preview saves $0.42 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $4.2. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.
Cost sensitivity
Workload Sensitivity
Hy3 preview stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.
| Workload shape | Token mix | Better pick | MiniMax M3 (batch) | Hy3 preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input-heavy / RAG | 5M input + 500K output | Hy3 preview | $2.1 | $1.2 |
| Balanced workload | 1M input + 1M output | Hy3 preview | $1.5 | $0.78 |
| Output-heavy chatbot | 1M input + 5M output | Hy3 preview | $6.3 | $3.18 |
Hy3 preview is $0.6 cheaper per 1M output tokens (50% lower; 2x difference).
MiniMax M3 (batch) has 262.14K more context (2x larger).
Hy3 preview is $0.42 cheaper on the standard workload (46.7% lower).
Estimate your workload cost
Your Workload Cost
This estimate uses normalized public API pricing per 1M tokens. It is a planning aid, not a billing quote. Verify provider pricing, limits, and terms before production use.
Quick Decision
Hy3 preview has the lower input price; Hy3 preview has the lower output price; MiniMax M3 (batch) offers the larger context window. For the 1M input plus 500K output sample, Hy3 preview is cheaper for the standard workload.
For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $0.9 for MiniMax M3 (batch) and $0.48 for Hy3 preview.
Choose MiniMax M3 (batch) when you care most about larger context window.
Choose Hy3 preview when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.
- On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Hy3 preview is estimated at $0.48 vs $0.9 for MiniMax M3 (batch), saving $0.42 (46.7% lower).
- Hy3 preview is $0.42 cheaper on the standard workload (46.7% lower).
- Hy3 preview is $0.12 cheaper per 1M input tokens (40% lower; 1.67x difference).
- Hy3 preview is $0.6 cheaper per 1M output tokens (50% lower; 2x difference).
- MiniMax M3 (batch) has 262.14K more context (2x larger).
| Feature | MiniMax M3 (batch) (MiniMax) | Hy3 preview (Tencent) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price prompt tokens per 1M | $0.3 | $0.18 |
| Completion Price per 1M tokens | $1.2 | $0.6 |
| Sample Workload Cost 1M input + 500K output | $0.9 | $0.48 |
| Context Window | 524.29K | 262.14K |
| Release Date |
Use-Case Decision Matrix
| Use case | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-constrained production | Hy3 preview | On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Hy3 preview is estimated at $0.48 vs $0.9 for MiniMax M3 (batch), saving $0.42 (46.7% lower). |
| High-volume input processing | Hy3 preview | Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts, retrieved passages, or documents dominate the bill. |
| Long responses and chatbots | Hy3 preview | Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens. |
| RAG or long-document work | MiniMax M3 (batch) | A larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages, conversation history, or source files. |
Related Alternatives
- MiniMax M2.5 (free) can replace MiniMax M3 (batch) when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- MiniMax M2.7 can replace MiniMax M3 (batch) when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.72.
- MiniMax-01 can replace MiniMax M3 (batch) when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.75.
- MiniMax M2 can replace MiniMax M3 (batch) when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.77.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 offers 1.31M context with $0.17 sample workload cost.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash Latest offers 1.31M context with $0.11 sample workload cost.
- Llama 4 Scout offers 1.31M context with $0.25 sample workload cost.
- MiMo-V2.5 offers 1.05M context with $0.28 sample workload cost.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 · DeepSeek · #1
- MiMo-V2.5 · Xiaomi · #2
- Hy3 · Tencent · #3
- Ox Alpha · stealth · #4
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