Grok 4.5 by SpaceXAI: Opus-Class at 60% Lower Cost
On July 8, 2026, SpaceXAI (formerly xAI) released Grok 4.5 — the company's first model since going public. Elon Musk described it as "an Opus-class model, but faster, more token-efficient and lower cost."
Pricing and Comparison
| Model | Input ($/M) | Output ($/M) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grok 4.5 | 2 | 6 | Double token efficiency For terminal-first multi-provider agents, see also OpenCode and official-priced GLM 5.2. |
| Opus 4.7 (Anthropic) | 5 | 25 | Top-tier but expensive |
| GPT-5.6 Sol (OpenAI) | 5 | 30 | OpenAI flagship |
| GPT-5.6 Luna (OpenAI) | 1 | 6 | Cheapest from OpenAI |
Grok 4.5 is 60% cheaper than Opus 4.7 on input and 76% cheaper on output, at roughly the same performance level.
Token Efficiency: The Real Story
SpaceXAI claims Grok 4.5 achieves twice the token efficiency. Fewer tokens per task means:
- Lower real cost — same result with half the tokens
- Faster responses
- Lower API quota consumption
Example: 50,000 input + 10,000 output tokens = $0.16 on Grok 4.5 vs $0.55 on Opus 4.7.
What Is Grok 4.5?
A large language model designed for coding, app building, office work, research, writing, and knowledge work. The first model built with Cursor's help.
What This Means for International Users
Availability
Grok 4.5 is available in the Gulf without restrictions — unlike the EU. Access via grok.com, API, or X.
Pricing
No local pricing. Users need an international credit card. USD pricing.
Arabic Support
SpaceXAI has not announced specific Arabic improvements. Test before full deployment.
Limitations
- No complete independent benchmarks yet
- Not available in the EU
- Training data unknown
- Fierce competition — market shifts weekly
The Cursor Partnership
Grok 4.5 is the first model built with Cursor's assistance, positioning Grok against Claude and Code Llama in developer tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Grok 4.5 cost?
$2/M input and $6/M output tokens.
Is Grok 4.5 available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, available without restrictions. Not available only in the EU.
Is Grok 4.5 better than Opus 4.7?
According to SpaceXAI: comparable to Opus 4.7 but faster. No complete independent benchmarks yet.
What is the difference between Grok 4.5 and GPT-5.6 Luna?
Luna is cheaper on raw price ($1/M) but Grok's doubled token efficiency means comparable actual cost.
Does Grok 4.5 require a subscription?
API requires pay-as-you-go billing.
