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> Today, we are officially releasing Qwen 3.8-Max, the most capable model in the Qwen family to date. This also marks the first time we will open-source the wei

by simonw 3mo ago

> Today, we are officially releasing Qwen 3.8-Max, the most capable model in the Qwen family to date. This also marks the first time we will open-source the weights of a Qwen-Max-class model — the open weights will be released next week. I don't understand. That's dated today, but: https://twitter.com/alibaba_qwen/status/2078759124914098291 https://twitter.com/alibaba_qwen/status/2078759124914098291 > Qwen3.8 is launching and going open-weight soon! [...] You don't have to wait to test it. Just now, the Qwen3.8-Max-Preview made its debut on Alibaba’s Token Plan, Qoder, and QoderWork. That was on July 19th. I used it to draw this pelican: https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jul/20/afraid-of-chinese-models/ https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jul/20/afraid-of-chinese-mode... So what are they releasing today?

telemaxs 3mo ago
they releasing Max.
bloomsa 3mo ago
July 19th post mentions “Max-Preview” vs. today’s post dropping the “Preview”. Unclear what changed if anything though.. Maybe broader availability or it’s a slightly improved checkpoint
deleted 3mo ago
[deleted]
Jowsey 3mo ago
My understanding is that these "preview" models are usually earlier RL checkpoints, and that "official release" happens when they're happy with the training run? I believe they mentioned around the preview announcement that they'd be releasing improvements to capability, which I assume means continued training.
- ignoramous 3mo ago
  In Qwen's case, both 3.8 Max releases seem rushed may be in response to Kimi K3 getting all that attention. 3.8 Max Preview ran 90% discount on QwenCloud exactly as when Moonshot couldn't keep up with all the signups.
simonw 3mo ago
... other comments were right, this is the full qwen3.8-max model, two weeks ago was the qwen3.8-max-preview release. Here's a pelican I just got out of the new model. It took 11 minutes and forgot the wheels! https://tools.simonwillison.net/markdown-svg-renderer#url=https%3A%2F%2Fgist.github.com%2Fsimonw%2F3964adc3ed58033c00dd4a732b8f08e3 https://tools.simonwillison.net/markdown-svg-renderer#url=ht... (scroll to bottom) The reasoning trace is pretty great: > More additions: basket with fish in it? Cute detail — a fish poking out of a basket on the handlebars! This adds charm and pelican context. If the price is $2/$6 that cost me 17 cents: https://www.llm-prices.com/#it=90&ot=29734&ic=2&oc=6 https://www.llm-prices.com/#it=90&ot=29734&ic=2&oc=6
- pettijohn 3mo ago
  Wow, bike geometry is really good! Except for the missing wheels lol
  - applfanboysbgon 3mo ago
    Do pelican bikes need wheels? They've got wings, after all... I think Qwen is on to something here.
    - froh 3mo ago
      It's because of the basket with the fish. like ET, fishy fishy sail home.
    - konart 3mo ago
      And what if his name is Marty?
- ComputerGuru 3mo ago
  It gave the svg for the wheels in the reasoning trace then forgot to include them in its final answer. Lol.
  - codedokode 3mo ago

by simonw 3mo ago

telemaxs 3mo ago

they releasing Max.

bloomsa 3mo ago

July 19th post mentions “Max-Preview” vs. today’s post dropping the “Preview”. Unclear what changed if anything though.. Maybe broader availability or it’s a slightly improved checkpoint

deleted 3mo ago

[deleted]

Jowsey 3mo ago

My understanding is that these "preview" models are usually earlier RL checkpoints, and that "official release" happens when they're happy with the training run? I believe they mentioned around the preview announcement that they'd be releasing improvements to capability, which I assume means continued training.

ignoramous 3mo ago
In Qwen's case, both 3.8 Max releases seem rushed may be in response to Kimi K3 getting all that attention. 3.8 Max Preview ran 90% discount on QwenCloud exactly as when Moonshot couldn't keep up with all the signups.

simonw 3mo ago

... other comments were right, this is the full qwen3.8-max model, two weeks ago was the qwen3.8-max-preview release. Here's a pelican I just got out of the new model. It took 11 minutes and forgot the wheels! https://tools.simonwillison.net/markdown-svg-renderer#url=https%3A%2F%2Fgist.github.com%2Fsimonw%2F3964adc3ed58033c00dd4a732b8f08e3 https://tools.simonwillison.net/markdown-svg-renderer#url=ht... (scroll to bottom) The reasoning trace is pretty great: > More additions: basket with fish in it? Cute detail — a fish poking out of a basket on the handlebars! This adds charm and pelican context. If the price is $2/$6 that cost me 17 cents: https://www.llm-prices.com/#it=90&ot=29734&ic=2&oc=6 https://www.llm-prices.com/#it=90&ot=29734&ic=2&oc=6

pettijohn 3mo ago
Wow, bike geometry is really good! Except for the missing wheels lol
- applfanboysbgon 3mo ago
  Do pelican bikes need wheels? They've got wings, after all... I think Qwen is on to something here.
  - froh 3mo ago
    It's because of the basket with the fish. like ET, fishy fishy sail home.
  - konart 3mo ago
    And what if his name is Marty?
ComputerGuru 3mo ago
It gave the svg for the wheels in the reasoning trace then forgot to include them in its final answer. Lol.
- codedokode 3mo ago