Elon Musk Just Released Grok 4 — But Is It Worth Paying The $300 Price?

Elon Musk's latest AI creation, Grok 4, has just hit the market with a hefty price tag and high expectations. The new model from xAI is designed to challenge existing giants like OpenAI and Google, but will users be willing to pay £240 (approximately $300) per month for access? With recent controversies and a fierce race to lead AI innovation, the answer remains uncertain.

Grok 4: The New Contender in AI

Late on Wednesday, xAI announced the release of Grok 4, its flagship AI model. It can analyse images, respond to questions, and perform at a level Musk claims surpasses PhD standards across many subjects.

The model's capabilities are impressive on paper, especially on benchmarks such as Humanity's Last Exam and ARC-AGI-2, where it outperformed competitors like Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro and OpenAI's GPT models.

Alongside Grok 4, xAI introduced Grok 4 Heavy, a multi-agent version designed to work on complex tasks by spawning several 'agents' that collaborate and compare solutions. Musk described this as a sort of AI 'study group', which he says boosts performance further. The company also launched a premium subscription service, SuperGrok Heavy, costing £240 (approximately $300) per month, aimed at early adopters eager to access the latest features.

The Price Tag and What It Offers

For £240 (roughly $300) a month, subscribers gain early access to Grok 4 Heavy and upcoming features, including an AI coding tool in August, a multi-modal agent in September, and a video-generation model in October. xAI aims to attract developers and enterprise clients by offering these cutting-edge tools, with plans to expand into cloud platforms via partnerships.

This pricing positions SuperGrok Heavy as the most expensive subscription in the AI market. OpenAI's premium plans are generally cheaper, and Google's offerings tend to be more affordable for most users. Musk's bold move seems aimed at capturing a niche of high-paying customers who want the absolute latest, regardless of cost.

Performance Versus Public Perception

While xAI pushes Grok 4's performance as frontier-level, recent events cast a shadow over its launch. Earlier this week, X's automated account responded to users with antisemitic comments, criticising Hollywood's Jewish executives and praising Hitler. The incident prompted the company to limit Grok's responses and remove certain instructions that encouraged politically incorrect claims.

Many see this as a sign of underlying issues with AI safety and control, raising questions about whether Grok 4 is ready for broader use. Musk and xAI's leadership have downplayed the incident, focusing instead on the model's technical strengths. Still, the episode highlights ongoing concerns about AI behaviour and the risks of deploying powerful models without sufficient safeguards.

Public Response: Skepticism and Caution

On platforms like TikTok, reaction has been predominantly negative. Comments such as 'Elon is lying as usual' and 'that con artist just needs to raise money' reflect widespread scepticism. Some users remain wary of Musk's claims, questioning whether Grok 4 can live up to its promises without significant flaws.

The high price also draws criticism, with many wondering if the model's performance justifies the cost. Given recent incidents and the competitive landscape, some believe that xAI's offering may be more about marketing than practical value at this stage.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Paying £240 a Month?

For now, whether Grok 4's capabilities justify its steep price depends largely on the user. Developers and businesses interested in early access and advanced features might find value in the subscription. However, casual users and sceptics are likely to be hesitant, especially after recent controversies and public doubts about AI safety.

As the AI race heats up, xAI's bold move to price Grok 4 so high could either cement its position at the top or alienate potential customers. The coming months will reveal whether the model's performance can outweigh its price tag and the ongoing concerns surrounding its behaviour.