Google Releases Imagen 4: New Image Generation Model – The Mountain View-based company has introduced two versions of its image generation model, one of which costs 50% more than the base version and claims to follow even the most complex instructions accurately.
Tech giant Google has launched the fourth generation of its Imagen neural network, designed to generate images from text descriptions. The new model, called Imagen 4, is available in two variants: Standard and Ultra.
The standard version is aimed at general-purpose tasks and is priced at 3 rubles per image. The advanced Imagen 4 Ultra costs 5 rubles and promises better results and greater accuracy in following user instructions compared to competing models.
Both versions are available through paid preview access via the Gemini API, with limited free testing in Google AI Studio. Users can generate up to four 1024×1024 images per prompt, with input lengths of up to 480 tokens.
Google says it has addressed major shortcomings of earlier versions. Imagen 4 now renders text within images more accurately, making it suitable for posters, invitations, and advertising material.
Photorealism has also improved significantly. The model now captures fine details such as fabric textures, water droplets, and animal fur more realistically. Lighting and shadow rendering has been refined for a more natural appearance.
Despite these improvements, expert opinions are mixed. A reviewer from Engadget noted that while Imagen 4 has improved, it still falls short of industry leaders like DALL·E 3 and Midjourney 7. The images are technically accurate but often appear “machine-generated” and lack visual charm.
According to the Artificial Analysis ranking, Imagen 4 ranks fifth, behind GPT-4o, Flux.1 Kontext, and Recraft V3. Testers praised its ability to handle realistic scenes and complex prompts, though it is less effective with stylized or abstract artwork.
All images created are marked with invisible SynthID digital watermarks to ensure content authenticity. Google plans to introduce new pricing options in the coming weeks. For now, users can apply for higher speed limits—the default is 20 requests per minute per project.
The Ultra version also supports 2K image exports via Vertex AI.
Google positions Imagen 4 as part of its broader creative toolset, which also includes Veo for video generation and the Gemini model family. The company aims to attract both developers and enterprise clients with flexible pricing and generous free quotas.