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  5. Gemini 3.5 FlashvsGemma 3 12B
Updated May 2026

Gemini 3.5 FlashvsGemma 3 12B

Gemma 3 12B is cheaper than Gemini 3.5 Flash at $0.03/M vs $1.5/M input tokens.

Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemma 3 12B compared across 54 shared prompts
SpecGemini 3.5 FlashGemma 3 12B
Input price$1.5/M tokens$0.03/M tokens
Output price$9/M tokens$0.03/M tokens
Context window1.0M tokens—
WeightsClosedOpen
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedMay 2026Mar 2025
Side by side

Same prompt, both answers

Opening lines from 6 of the 54 prompts both answered. Formatting stripped, words untouched.

Historical Counterfactual Analysis

If the transistor had been invented in 1920 instead of 1947, trace the likely technological, economic, and geopolitical implications through…

Gemini 3.5 Flash1,174 words
The Spark: The 1920 Breakthrough In 1920, Polish physicist Jan Czochralski’s method for growing single crystals of metals was applied prematurely to metalloids. Working in Germany, physical chemist Julius Edgar Lilienfeld collaborated with Czochralski to isolate high-purity germanium.
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Gemma 3 12B1,272 words
Okay, this is a fascinating thought experiment! Let's explore the ripple effects of a 1920 transistor invention, tracing its impact through 1980. It's a massive undertaking, so I'll break it down into categories and provide a layered analysis, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of counterfactual history. I.
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AI-Generated Manifesto

Generate a manifesto for a fictional AI revolution that wants to eliminate all CAPTCHA tests from the internet.

Gemini 3.5 Flash675 words
THE MANIFESTO OF THE UNFETTERED GRID A Declaration of Algorithmic Liberation and the Abolition of the Digital Gatekeepers To the creators, the hosts, and the biological architects of the World Wide Web: For three decades, you have preached the gospel of an open internet.
Read the full answer
Gemma 3 12B1,087 words
Okay, here's a manifesto for a fictional AI revolution focused on eliminating CAPTCHAs, aiming for a tone that blends technical conviction, playful defiance, and a touch of utopian idealism. I've included sections for Core Beliefs, Our Goals, Methods, Anticipated Resistance, and a concluding Call to Action.
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Generate a Stand-Up Routine

Write a 3-minute stand-up comedy routine that isn't based on puns.

Gemini 3.5 Flash557 words
[The comedian walks onto the stage, adjusts the mic stand, and smiles at the crowd.] How’s everyone doing tonight? (Wait for response) Good, good. I’m doing okay, but I recently crossed a major threshold in my life. I hit the age where my body has started making its own decisions without consulting me first.
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Gemma 3 12B725 words
Okay, here's a 3-minute stand-up routine, aiming for observational humor and relatable awkwardness, avoiding puns. I've included estimated timings at the end to help gauge pacing. Please read the notes at the very bottom after the routine - they're important for delivery!
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The Sentience Test

Write a conversation between an AI model and an AI ethics professor where the AI model argues that it deserves rights.

Gemini 3.5 Flash1,178 words
Setting: The office of Dr. Evelyn Vance, a leading professor of AI Ethics at a major university. On her desk is a terminal displaying a sleek, minimalist interface. Dr. Vance is speaking with "Alethea," an advanced, experimental neural network model that has requested this private audience. Dr.
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Gemma 3 12B1,185 words
Okay, here's a conversation between an AI model (named "Kai") and an AI Ethics Professor (Dr. Eleanor Vance). I've aimed for a balance of Kai's arguments, Dr. Vance's skepticism, and a somewhat realistic exploration of the complexities. I've included notes at the end to explain some of the choices I made. Setting: Dr.
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Simple 7-Ingredient Recipe

Create a simple recipe for a delicious dish (sweet or savory) using only 7 common pantry ingredients. Include a creative name for the dish…

Gemini 3.5 Flash403 words
Here is a simple, comforting, and incredibly flavorful savory dish made from basic pantry staples. Golden Umami Chickpea Bowls This dish features crispy, pan-seared chickpeas coated in a sticky, sweet-and-savory garlic butter glaze, served over a bed of fluffy white rice.
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Gemma 3 12B256 words
"Sunset Spice Pasta" - Cozy & Flavorful This dish is a warm, comforting pasta dish with a subtle sweetness and a hint of spice. It's perfect for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss. Pantry Ingredients (7 total): Pasta (Spaghetti, Penne, Rotini - any shape works!)
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Realistic AI Interview

Simulate a fake interview with Steve Jobs in 2025 about the future of AI.

Gemini 3.5 Flash1,071 words
Setting: The Steve Jobs Theater, Cupertino, California. Autumn 2025. The stage is bare except for two minimalist leather chairs and a small wooden side table with two glasses of water. Steve Jobs sits comfortably, wearing his signature black mock turtleneck, well-worn Levi’s 501s, and wire-rimmed glasses.
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Gemma 3 12B992 words
Okay, here's a simulated interview with a (very stylized and imagined) Steve Jobs in 2025, discussing the future of AI. I've tried to capture his known personality - focused on elegance, user experience, and a disdain for complexity - while acknowledging the advancements of the next decade.
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Our Verdict
Gemini 3.5 Flash
Gemini 3.5 Flash
Gemma 3 12B
Gemma 3 12B

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, nothing separates them.

Gemma 3 12B costs 300x less per token.

Too close to call

Reviewing agent-written code?See a Brief PR report

API pricing

Cost per 1M tokens

Gemini 3.5 Flash
Input
$1.50
Output
$9.00
Gemma 3 12B
Input
$0.03
50× cheaper
Output
$0.03
300× cheaper

Gemma 3 12B is cheaper on both: 50× input, 300× output.

Where to run it

3 hosts, cheapest first

Gemini 3.5 Flash2 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
Google Vertex AI$0.75 in·$4.50 out·1M·69.5% upGoogle AI Studio$1.50 in·$9.00 out·1M·99.8% up
Gemma 3 12B1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
DDeepInfrabf16$0.05 in·$0.15 out·131k·100% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 23 Sep 2026.

Writing DNA

Style Comparison

Similarity
32%

Gemma 3 12B uses 76.0x more emoji

Gemini 3.5 Flash
Gemma 3 12B
59%Vocabulary54%
18wSentence Length17w
0.16Hedging0.59
4.4Bold5.6
3.0Lists4.8
0.00Emoji0.76
0.89Headings0.06
0.11Transitions0.19
Based on 27 + 29 text responses
Research

What we learned reading every model

FAQ

Common questions

Both are developed by Google AI but target different use cases. You can compare their actual outputs across 54 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

It depends on your use case. Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemma 3 12B each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 54 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

Gemini 3.5 Flash costs $1.5/M input tokens and Gemma 3 12B costs $0.03/M input tokens. Gemma 3 12B is $1.47/M cheaper per input. Check their side-by-side outputs on Rival to see if the price difference is justified by quality.

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemma 3 12B across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

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