Chinese AI models have started to lose their main advantage

Zhipu AI has launched its new artificial intelligence model, GLM-5.1, which features 744 billion parameters, surpassing previous versions and recognized competitors such as GPT-5.4 and Claude Opus 4.6.

This technological advancement, however, comes with a notable increase in prices; the cost of the GLM-5.1 has risen between 8% and 17% compared to the GLM-5 Turbo, marking the second implementation of price increases in 2026 by the company.

As AI prices rise, is it viable?

This increase in prices is due to the sustained demand for Zhipu AI models, which had built a reputation as a provider of affordable AI.

Companies like Moonshot AI, Alibaba, ByteDance, Tencent, and Baidu are following this pricing alignment trend, suggesting a significant shift in the market towards more expensive models.

This phenomenon reflects an evolution of the quality-price relationship in the field of AI, similar to the history of smartphones, where initially affordable products have progressively become more expensive.

The rise of models like OpenClaw, which have increased the demand for AI, also contributes to this shift. However, their intensive use of tokens can be prohibitive for users. As Chinese models, including those from Zhipu AI, position themselves as more affordable alternatives, there is a noticeable transformation towards high-end solutions that are no longer as accessible as they were in the past.

The current trend indicates that, just like in the mobile market, high-end AI models are capturing the attention and investment of the public, suggesting that prices will continue on an upward path. This phenomenon has raised complaints among users who see how fees and token consumption are becoming increasingly burdensome.