Hailuo 3.0 vs MiniMax H3: Same Model?

The short answer

Hailuo 3.0 and MiniMax H3 are two names for the same generation of video model. MiniMax H3 is the official model name used in the release notes and model documentation. Hailuo 3.0, Hailuo 3 and H3 are the names many creators use for the same model in the Hailuo AI product.

If a page offers "Hailuo 3.0 video generation," check which model it actually runs before you compare price or features. The name alone does not tell you whether you are getting H3, an earlier Hailuo release, or a different model from another provider.

Why two names exist

MiniMax builds the model and publishes it as MiniMax H3. Hailuo AI is the consumer-facing video product built around MiniMax models, so the same generation is often described as Hailuo 3.0 in tutorials, social posts and third-party tool directories.

The naming pattern is similar to other model families: the lab uses a model identifier, while the product and its users adopt a version name. Both can be accurate. The useful question is not "which name is real" but "which model version is running."

What MiniMax H3 actually is

MiniMax announced H3 on 31 July 2026 as a general-purpose omni-modal generation model. MiniMax describes it as understanding unified context across text, images, video and audio. For video generation, the publicly documented capabilities include:

• Up to 2K output.
• Clips up to 15 seconds.
• 24 frames per second.
• Native stereo audio generated with the picture.
• Text, image, video and audio inputs in the model family.

The Open MiniMax studio exposes a focused subset of that model: text-to-video, image-to-video with first and last frame control, 5, 10 or 15 second clips, 768P or 2K output, and six aspect ratios. It runs in the browser and does not require a GPU.

H3 is not M3.1 Flash

MiniMax also publishes language and coding models. MiniMax M3.1 Flash, announced in October 2026, is a text and coding model focused on agentic tasks and long context. It is not a video model and it does not generate clips.

This matters for search and for tool comparisons. A page titled "MiniMax latest model" may be talking about M3.1 Flash, while a page about "Hailuo 3.0" is talking about video. If you are looking for video generation, H3 is the model family to check.

What about H3 Max?

MiniMax H3 Max is a separate variant. According to the MiniMax API documentation, it was jointly released by MiniMax and fal.ai and post-trained by fal.ai on MiniMax H3, with a focus on high-speed generation. It is a different deployment from the H3 model used in this studio.

The practical takeaway: "H3" and "H3 Max" are related, but they are not interchangeable product names. Check the provider's model list, output resolution, duration and pricing before you assume you are buying the same thing.

What to check when a site says Hailuo 3.0

Use this checklist before you pay for a generation:

1. Model name — does the provider name MiniMax H3, Hailuo 3.0, H3 Max or something else?
2. Maximum resolution — is 2K available, or only 768P or 1080P?
3. Maximum duration — can it generate 15 seconds in one continuous clip?
4. Audio — is stereo audio generated with the picture, or added separately?
5. Frame control — does it support a first frame, a last frame, or both?
6. Pricing unit — is the price per second, per clip or per credit, and what does a 5-second 2K clip actually cost?
7. Rights and refunds — can you use the output commercially, and what happens if a render fails?

A provider that answers all seven is easier to compare than one that only uses the Hailuo name.

How to use H3 on Open MiniMax

Open MiniMax is an independent service built on MiniMax H3. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by MiniMax or Hailuo AI. The studio offers:

• Text-to-video and image-to-video.
• 5, 10 and 15 second clips at 24fps.
• 768P drafts and 2K final output.
• Six aspect ratios: 21:9, 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 3:4 and 9:16.
• Native stereo audio.
• First and last frame control for image-to-video.

Credits are sold in one-time packs: 200 credits for $9.90, 650 for $29.90 and 2,500 for $99.90. 2K video uses 5 credits per second and 768P uses 3. A five-second 2K clip costs 25 credits. Failed renders are refunded automatically and credits do not expire.

FAQ

Is Hailuo 3.0 the same as MiniMax H3?

Yes. Hailuo 3.0, Hailuo 3 and H3 are common names for the same MiniMax H3 generation. MiniMax H3 is the official model name.

Is MiniMax H3 the same as MiniMax M3.1 Flash?

No. H3 is a video generation model. M3.1 Flash is a text and coding model. They belong to different model families and do different jobs.

Is H3 Max the same as H3?

They are related but distinct. H3 Max is a high-speed variant post-trained on MiniMax H3, and availability depends on the provider. Check the model list before you compare features or price.

Where can I try MiniMax H3?

You can try it in the Open MiniMax studio. Start with a five-second 768P draft, then render the approved shot at 2K. The pricing page shows the credit cost for each duration and resolution.

Conclusion

Hailuo 3.0 and MiniMax H3 describe the same video model generation; H3 is the official name. The more important comparison is not the label but the actual configuration: resolution, duration, audio, frame control and price per clip.

Use the checklist above when you compare providers, and read the MiniMax H3 prompt guide if you want a repeatable way to write the shot.

Sources

• MiniMax H3 launch post — official model announcement, 31 July 2026.
• Hailuo AI MiniMax H3 page — official product page, including the H3 / Hailuo 3 naming explanation.
• MiniMax M3.1 Flash announcement — official text and coding model announcement, October 2026.
• MiniMax video generation docs — model list, including the H3 Max variant.