xAI Expands Grok Imagine Video 1.5 with Text, Image, and Voice Inputs

xAI has announced a major upgrade to its Grok Imagine Video 1.5 model, introducing support for text, image, and voice references, alongside native 1080p video generation. These features aim to strengthen xAI’s position in the increasingly competitive AI video market, where the model already leads with advanced motion coherence, audio synchronization, and rapid generation speeds.

The newly added multi-modal capabilities allow users to create videos by combining elements such as a textual prompt, an image, and a voice sample. For instance, users can pass in a character’s photo and voice, ensuring the same face and voice persist across scenes. Multi-reference support enables up to seven locked elements—such as faces, locations, or objects—offering granular creative control. These updates are live on grok.com/imagine, xAI’s iOS and Android apps, and the xAI API.

Text-to-Video and Native 1080p

One of the standout features of this upgrade is text-to-video generation, which allows users to describe a scene and generate video directly from the prompt without needing an initial image. Combined with native 1080p resolution, this feature positions Grok Imagine Video 1.5 as a tool for filmmakers, marketers, and developers seeking higher-quality outputs. Both features are now generally available across platforms.

Competitive Market Position

Grok Imagine Video 1.5 has been a significant step forward for xAI since its May 31, 2026 launch. The model achieved the top spot on the Image-to-Video Arena leaderboard upon release, surpassing Google Veo and other competitors with an Elo score of 1473. Its ability to generate synchronized audio, improved motion realism, and faster production speeds has already made it a favorite among creative professionals.

These advancements come amidst intensifying competition in AI video generation, with Google, OpenAI, and others vying for market share. However, xAI has strategically priced its API access lower than comparable offerings, making it an attractive option for developers needing scalable tools.

Voice Consistency and API Availability

The new voice reference feature ensures characters retain consistent voices across scenes, adding another layer of realism. While this feature is currently available on request for API users, text-to-video and image references are already integrated into the xAI API. These updates make Grok Imagine Video 1.5 a compelling production-ready solution, particularly for industries requiring detailed content customization.

With these enhancements, xAI continues to push the boundaries of AI-generated video, aiming to capture a larger share of a rapidly growing market. Early access to advanced features like multi-reference and voice consistency could attract both enterprise clients and individual creators looking for high-quality, flexible solutions.

For those interested, the upgraded model is now live across xAI’s web and mobile platforms, with a broader rollout expected in the coming days.

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