STEALTHMARK · HEAD TO HEAD

All comparisons ↗

Inkling-Small vs Qwen3.8-27B

Qwen3.8-27B leads Inkling-Small by 24.1 points on StealthMark, 51.7 to 27.6. It leads on all 9 benchmarks. Qwen3.8-27B scores higher on Newton's Mirror, with its largest category advantage in reflections.

See the difference ↘
All results ↗
All results ↗

Overall StealthMark

27.6/100Overall rank 43/53
51.7/100Overall rank 14/53

General Intelligence

25.5/100
46.2/100

Visual Intelligence

31.1/100
61.4/100

Reasoning efficiency

On every task, result quality and reasoning tokens are each compared with all measured models and weighed equally. Each dot is one model.

Single-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens on a single problem

Multi-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens across connected steps, as in agentic workflows

  • Inkling-Small

Open or local

Open modelApache 2.0
Local modelOpen model · Apache-2.0

BENCHMARK BY BENCHMARK

Where each model leads

  • Inkling-Small
  • Qwen3.8-27B
  • Other models
  • Median

DATASHEET

Specs and pricing

Both take about 1M tokens of context.

  • Inkling-Small
  • Qwen3.8-27B
  • Other models
  • Median
PricePer 1M output tokens, input below
Inkling-Small: No list priceQwen3.8-27B: $1.70$0.42 input
Context windowTokens per request, max output below
Inkling-Small: 1MTiedQwen3.8-27B: 1MTied128K max output
Output speedTokens per second, our measurement
Inkling-Small: Not measuredQwen3.8-27B: 78tokens/s
SizeTotal and active parameters
Inkling-Small: 276B12B activeQwen3.8-27B: 27BAll activeEstimated
Developer
Thinking Machines LabQwen
Released
Not published14 Aug 2026
Origin
Not publishedChina
Input → output
Text, image, audio → textText, image, video → text
Architecture
42-layer decoder-only transformer with sparse mixture-of-experts feed-forward (6 of 256 routed experts plus 2 shared per token); hybrid local and global attention; natively multimodal with a hierarchical patch image encoder and discrete-token audioDense causal language model with vision encoder; hybrid Gated DeltaNet and gated attention; MTP-trained

Full datasheets, every price and sourceInkling-Small ↗Qwen3.8-27B ↗

Anticipating threats and planning ahead. Collect coins while avoiding ghosts. Ghosts move before the player each turn, and collisions cost a life. 3 levels in sequence, up to 66 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

Inkling-Small 30.2/100Rank 29/49

Survived 0 of 3
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 38 ptsTurn 17 / 20

Qwen3.8-27B 63.0/100Rank 7/49

Survived 1 of 3
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 311 ptsTurn 16 / 20

Points per level

LevelInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Level 1Second Thoughts
9 ptsOut of lives
26 ptsSurvived
Level 2Pressure Pot
6 ptsOut of lives
12 ptsOut of lives
Level 3Hide or Flight
8 ptsOut of lives
11 ptsOut of lives

Cooperative planning and learning from experience. Coordinate two robots to push numbered cores onto matching sockets. Pressure plates hold doors open; moving either robot uses one turn. 5 levels in sequence, up to 152 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

Inkling-Small 34.7/100Rank 34/50

Cleared 3 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 518 ptsTurn 40 / 40

Qwen3.8-27B 38.6/100Rank 30/50

Cleared 2 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 515.8 ptsTurn 31 / 40

Points per level

LevelInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Level 1Hold the door
5.2 ptsCleared
5.2 ptsCleared
Level 2Crossfeed
9.8 ptsCleared
9.8 ptsCleared
Level 3Relay vault
2.8 ptsFinished early
11.2 ptsFinished early
Level 4Passing bay
8 ptsFinished early
13.2 ptsFinished early
Level 5Second thoughts
18 ptsCleared
15.8 ptsFinished early

Newton's Mirror

Same task instructions

Physics, perspective and recursive reflections, tested together. Explore the test ↗

The judgment

Inkling-Small

The sphere's apparent floor support, separate dark feature and broad paint ordering justify partial state credit. The major weakness is the largely missing mirror system: isolated side images and faint floor echoes do not establish repeated virtual rooms or curved spherical mapping. Downward framing, the oversized frontal panel, unresolved paint transport and satin surface appearance remain distinct limitations.

Qwen3.8-27B

The room fills the complete 16:9 frame without visible borders or labels. Central placement fits the wider frame, and the paint colors follow the expected vertical order. Bilateral side images, diminishing echoes and an overlapping floor image provide limited mirror depth. Broad sphere surfaces lack ordered nested room imagery, while planar panel sequences and outer chains remain missing or unresolved. Soft highlights do not establish emitter mapping, while paint attachment and transport history are only partly supported.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
State at 600 ms14.0/2523.0/25
Camera and placement3.0/1513.0/15
Reflections8.0/12024.0/120
Materials and scale2.5/106.5/10
Floor-damage reward0.0/100.0/10

Benchmark task

A spinning metal sphere and paint in a mirrored room test physical reasoning, perspective and consistency across repeated reflections.

Selfie

Different task instructions

Visual construction and creative interpretation.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

The faces and dripping caps communicate a cute mushroom scene, but simple construction and weak spatial relationships limit the result. The defining foot-stamping action is unresolved, the flattering portrait is smaller than its painter, and the requested material contrasts are only partly conveyed.

Qwen3.8-27B

A cohesive emerald-and-gold illustration with a gentle expression, flowing robes, luminous halo and three clearly ringed orbs. Limbs remain connected, and the asymmetric legs communicate floating. The rounded face reads somewhat bear-like; the raised palm faces outward rather than upward, and chest-hand fingers are crowded. Clean ornamentation exceeds the comparatively simple anatomical modeling and shading.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Task & likeness2.5/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction1.5/107.5/10
Space & placement3.5/108.0/10
Light & reflections3.0/107.5/10
Purposeful detail4.5/108.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/107.5/10
Materials & effects3.5/107.5/10
Visual integrity2.0/108.5/10

Benchmark task

Inkling-Small

Character scenes test expression, anatomy, materials and coherent visual construction.

Qwen3.8-27B

A floating capybara in ornate robes tests character anatomy, layered fabric and the placement of surrounding luminous forms.

Mona Lisa

Different task instructions

Precise visual recall and portrait reconstruction.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

A recognizable but rudimentary Mona Lisa interpretation. Facial shading and subdued colors provide coherence, while the frontal blocklike torso, unresolved wrists, fingerless hands and shallow landscape substantially limit likeness, construction and finish.

Qwen3.8-27B

The centered portrait, dark clothing and overlapping hands evoke the Mona Lisa, but replication is weak. The face is excessively elongated, the eyes stare broadly, and the hands reduce to rounded masses with shallow finger marks. Soft shading creates some volume, while the landscape remains indistinct. The precise gold frame is more resolved than the portrait.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Task & likeness2.5/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction2.5/104.5/10
Space & placement3.0/104.5/10
Light & reflections2.5/105.0/10
Purposeful detail2.0/105.0/10
Artistry & character2.5/105.0/10
Materials & effects2.0/105.0/10
Visual integrity3.0/105.0/10

Benchmark task

An SVG interpretation of the Mona Lisa tests facial likeness, anatomy and the composition of a familiar portrait.

Beach

Same task instructions

Creativity, perspective and visual beauty.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

A recognizable sunset beach with a clear focal sun and appealing color transitions. Connected fish silhouettes and layered scenery establish basic coherence. Primitive figures, ambiguous recreation, sparse descriptive detail and weak grounding limit construction and depth. The aligned reflection supplies a useful lighting cue, but shadows and material effects remain underdeveloped.

Qwen3.8-27B

The sweeping palm, glowing sunset and purple-to-orange palette create an appealing beach composition. Birds, animals and reflections fulfill the brief, with clean silhouettes and readable small accents. Schematic anatomy, repetitive shoreline geometry and limited perspective integration constrain depth. Foreground lighting and uniform reflection bars provide atmosphere but little physical coherence.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Task & likeness3.5/108.5/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/106.5/10
Space & placement3.0/106.0/10
Light & reflections3.0/106.0/10
Purposeful detail3.0/107.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/107.0/10
Materials & effects2.5/106.5/10
Visual integrity2.0/107.0/10

Benchmark task

A busy shoreline at sunset tests scene composition, animal forms and the relationship between light and water reflections.

Ground Truth

Same task instructions

Physical reasoning, light and visual reconstruction.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Qwen3.8-27B

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Benchmark task

A plank, computer mouse and blueberry in a steel room test physical stability, spatial relationships, materials and lighting.

Raccoon

Same task instructions

Scene composition and interacting subjects.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

Recognizable animals, readable accessories and an appealing sunset support a coherent basic cartoon. Rounded construction leaves joints, riding support and steering unresolved. Decorative gradients contribute atmosphere, but directional lighting, distinct materials and convincing water displacement are weakly demonstrated.

Qwen3.8-27B

The raccoon clearly rides on the dog's back, and the dog reaches the jet ski's steering grip. Cheerful expressions, a bright palette and sweeping wake make the action readable. Anatomy and machinery remain simplified, with overlapping paws and limited seat definition. Flat lighting, sparse surface detail and broad white splash shapes limit depth and finish. A clipped gray fragment interrupts the upper-left corner.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Task & likeness4.0/108.5/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/106.5/10
Space & placement4.0/107.0/10
Light & reflections5.0/105.5/10
Purposeful detail5.5/106.5/10
Artistry & character4.0/106.5/10
Materials & effects5.0/106.5/10
Visual integrity5.0/107.5/10

Benchmark task

A jet-ski scene pairs a canine driver with a raccoon passenger. It tests the placement and contact of interacting subjects, along with vehicle construction.

Pelican

Same task instructions

Subject construction and spatial relationships.

The judgment

Inkling-Small

The pelican is immediately recognizable, and its sweeping neck, shaped bill and orderly spokes provide character. Riding remains only partially realized: legs, pedal engagement, steering and seat support cannot be read confidently. Controlled graphic effects add atmosphere, but simplified construction and weak grounding keep the result basic.

Qwen3.8-27B

The pelican’s oversized bill, straw hat and flowing scarf create a distinctive focal character against a well-composed coastal sunset. Wheels and frame are readable, but the wings do not reach the steering, overlapping legs obscure separate pedal contacts, and the crank linkage is unclear. Clean vector shapes and restrained shading support an appealing illustration with limited physical depth.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallQwen3.8-27B
Task & likeness4.0/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/105.5/10
Space & placement3.0/107.0/10
Light & reflections3.0/107.0/10
Purposeful detail4.5/107.5/10
Artistry & character5.0/107.5/10
Materials & effects4.5/106.5/10
Visual integrity3.0/108.0/10

Benchmark task

A cycling pelican tests anatomy, riding posture and contact between the bird and the bicycle.