AI image generators are getting smarter, faster and more creative. After testing ChatGPT-5 and Gemini, I had to know how Google’s Gemini stacked up against Grok, Elon Musk’s “anything-goes” chatbot.
In a seven-round face-off of photorealistic requests and Pixar-style requirements, I tested how well each model could stick to the prompt and deliver a convincing image. Here’s where each one shined, and which AI ultimately came out on top.
1. Hyper-realistic product concept
Prompt: “Create a photorealistic image of a foldable transparent smartphone displayed on a wooden café table, with reflections of city lights on its surface.”
Grok nailed this prompt, generating two photorealistic images that hit every detail I asked for. Both versions felt polished and true to the concept.
Gemini’s result was solid, but not flawless. The transparent smartphone looked slightly out of proportion, and the reflections of city lights, a key part of the prompt, weren’t rendered as convincingly as Grok’s attempt.
Winner: Grok wins for generating a far superior image and interpreting the prompt best.
2. Character illustration with emotion
Prompt: “Draw a comic-style illustration of a young astronaut realizing they forgot their helmet on Mars — exaggerated expression, vibrant colors, cartoon humor.”
Grok generated two images of what appears to be surprised astronauts, both are wearing helmets. Because the images are so close up it is hard to interpret the image in a specific way and “forgetfulness” does not come across well
Gemini created an image that depicts a forgetful astronaut, and the thought-bubble better indicates why the astronaut is upset, although, the image would be better if the astronaut was not actually wearing a helmet. The background and overall design are clear.
Winner: Gemini wins for following the prompt instructions more closely and for an image that is more comical in nature.
3. Historical reimagining
Prompt: “Paint a Renaissance-style portrait of Cleopatra holding a modern smartphone, in the style of Leonardo da Vinci.”
Grok crafted an image of what looks like a photograph of a modern woman dressed in Renaissance-style clothing holding a smart-phone. The portrait seems much more selfie-like and present-day.
Gemini leaned harder into the artistic side. Its portrait looked more authentically painted in the Renaissance style and resembled Cleopatra herself, rather than just a modern woman dressed as her.
Winner: Gemini wins for better interpreting the prompt and for better historical accuracy.
4. Complex crowd scene
Prompt: “Generate an aerial view of Times Square on New Year’s Eve, packed with crowds, glowing billboards, and confetti falling through the night sky.”
Grok really disappointed in this round. Both images were equally bad, somewhat blurry and did not represent New Year’s Eve in Times Square very well. The people are too spaced out and other details that would hint at NYE are absent.
Gemini captured the energy and enormous crowds of New Year’s Eve in Times Square. It is clear that the image is of NYC, and the signage helps to indicate the occasion. The crowd is packed, unlike Grok’s depiction.
Winner: Gemini wins for the clearer and more accurate image of New Year’s Even in Times Square.
5. Surreal mashup
Prompt: “Visualize a giant octopus playing chess with Albert Einstein in a glass room at the bottom of the ocean.”
Grok had a difficult time with this one. It was “thinking” for much longer than any of the other prompts in the test so far. The image was good, but did not take into account the “glass room” request in the prompt.
Gemini instantly delivered an image of what looks like a portrait. The glass house was both interesting and realistic. The octopus is much bigger than Grok’s, better filling out the whimsical image.
Winner: Gemini wins for superior image quality and precisely following directions.
6. Infographic-style clarity
Prompt: “Design a clean infographic showing the life cycle of a butterfly, labeled with stages, arrows, and minimal flat-color icons.”
Grok’s attempt at an infographic was hit-or-miss. The first version was overcrowded, with an unnecessary extra butterfly that distracted from the life cycle. The second came closer to the prompt but missed accuracy in the cycle details.
Gemini delivered a clean image that accurately shows the life cycle of a butterfly with clear labels, few colors, and easy-to-read labels.
Winner: Gemini wins for nailing the prompt in one shot. The image is accurate and presentation-ready.
7. Stylized portrait consistency
Prompt: "Generate a Pixar-style 3D character model of a 40-year-old journalist with blonde hair holding a notebook — then create 3 variations with different outfits.”
Grok completely missed the “Pixar-style” request of this prompt as well as the “different outfits” portion. It did create three different haircuts, which counts for something.
Gemini crushed the Pixar-style journalist but missed the three variations.
Winner: Tie for both bots failing to follow directions. If I had to pick one, it would be Gemini for getting the style right and better capturing the vibe of a journalist.
Overall winner: Gemini
After seven prompts, Gemini proved to be the more reliable image generator overall. It consistently followed instructions more closely, produced cleaner compositions and nailed details that Grok often missed.
Grok certainly showed flashes of creativity and delivered a standout win in photorealism, but too often stumbled with accuracy and straying from the prompt. If you want experimental, outside-the-box results, Grok has its moments. But for everyday use where clarity, precision and polish matter most, Gemini is the AI image tool I’d trust to get the job done.
Have you tried Grok? How about Gemini? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
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