Head to head · updated 2026-07-19
Optimus Gen 3 vs Iron: which robot wins?
Tesla's Optimus Gen 3 against XPeng's Iron — price, capability, availability, and a verdict you can act on.
| Optimus Gen 3 | Iron | |
|---|---|---|
| EST. PRICE | $25,000* | Not yet priced |
| HEIGHT | 5′8″ / 173 cm | ~5′8″ / 173 cm |
| WEIGHT | ~57 kg | ~70 kg* |
| PAYLOAD | 20 kg | Factory task class* |
| RUNTIME | ~8 hrs | Undisclosed |
| DEXTERITY | 28+ DOF (11 per hand) | ~60+ total DOF; humanlike gait* |
| AVAILABILITY | Waitlist | Coming |
| WHICHBOT SCORE | 8.1 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| OUR TAKE | The volume play. Tesla is converting car production lines to build it — if any robot hits mass-market pricing first, it's this one. | China’s answer to Optimus — an EV maker converting its car-factory muscle into humanoids, starting on its own production lines. |
* Prices are estimates from public statements and filings. Availability changes weekly.
WHICHBOT VERDICT
For most buyers we give the nod to Optimus Gen 3. But it's closer than the score suggests: Iron wins if your priority is tracking whether the tesla playbook works twice — this time from guangzhou.
CHOOSE THE OPTIMUS GEN 3 IF…
- Buyers who want to bet on the biggest ecosystem and can wait for a consumer launch.
- Manufacturing scale nobody else can match
- Tesla's AI/data flywheel from its vehicle fleet
CHOOSE THE IRON IF…
- Tracking whether the Tesla playbook works twice — this time from Guangzhou.
- EV-manufacturer scale and supply chain behind it
- Notably humanlike gait and hands in public demos
Frequently asked
Which is better, the Optimus Gen 3 or the Iron?
It depends on your goal. Buyers who want to bet on the biggest ecosystem and can wait for a consumer launch. By contrast: Tracking whether the Tesla playbook works twice — this time from Guangzhou. Our scores: Optimus Gen 3 8.1/10, Iron 7.5/10.
How do the prices compare: Optimus Gen 3 vs Iron?
Optimus Gen 3: $25,000. Iron: Not yet priced. Figures compiled from public sources as of July 2026; service and lease pricing is quoted per project.
Can I get either of them today?
Optimus Gen 3: Waitlist — Tesla has converted Model S/X production lines to build Optimus. No confirmed consumer ship date; industrial/internal deployments first. Iron: Coming — Working in XPeng’s EV factories and showrooms, with the company targeting large-scale production — the clearest Chinese echo of the Tesla playbook.
Full reviews
More matchups
Optimus Gen 3 vs NEO GammaOptimus Gen 3 vs G1Optimus Gen 3 vs Figure 03Optimus Gen 3 vs ApolloOptimus Gen 3 vs DigitOptimus Gen 3 vs Atlas (Electric)Optimus Gen 3 vs Walker S2Optimus Gen 3 vs H1Optimus Gen 3 vs R1Optimus Gen 3 vs Yuanzheng A2Optimus Gen 3 vs GR-2Optimus Gen 3 vs PhoenixNEO Gamma vs G1NEO Gamma vs Figure 03NEO Gamma vs ApolloNEO Gamma vs DigitNEO Gamma vs Atlas (Electric)NEO Gamma vs Walker S2NEO Gamma vs H1NEO Gamma vs R1NEO Gamma vs Yuanzheng A2NEO Gamma vs GR-2NEO Gamma vs PhoenixNEO Gamma vs IronG1 vs Figure 03G1 vs ApolloG1 vs DigitG1 vs Atlas (Electric)G1 vs Walker S2G1 vs H1G1 vs R1G1 vs Yuanzheng A2G1 vs GR-2G1 vs PhoenixG1 vs IronFigure 03 vs ApolloFigure 03 vs DigitFigure 03 vs Atlas (Electric)Figure 03 vs Walker S2Figure 03 vs H1Figure 03 vs R1Figure 03 vs Yuanzheng A2Figure 03 vs GR-2Figure 03 vs PhoenixFigure 03 vs IronApollo vs DigitApollo vs Atlas (Electric)Apollo vs Walker S2Apollo vs H1Apollo vs R1Apollo vs Yuanzheng A2Apollo vs GR-2Apollo vs PhoenixApollo vs IronDigit vs Atlas (Electric)Digit vs Walker S2Digit vs H1Digit vs R1Digit vs Yuanzheng A2Digit vs GR-2Digit vs PhoenixDigit vs IronAtlas (Electric) vs Walker S2Atlas (Electric) vs H1Atlas (Electric) vs R1Atlas (Electric) vs Yuanzheng A2Atlas (Electric) vs GR-2Atlas (Electric) vs PhoenixAtlas (Electric) vs IronWalker S2 vs H1Walker S2 vs R1Walker S2 vs Yuanzheng A2Walker S2 vs GR-2Walker S2 vs PhoenixWalker S2 vs IronH1 vs R1H1 vs Yuanzheng A2H1 vs GR-2H1 vs PhoenixH1 vs IronR1 vs Yuanzheng A2R1 vs GR-2R1 vs PhoenixR1 vs IronYuanzheng A2 vs GR-2Yuanzheng A2 vs PhoenixYuanzheng A2 vs IronGR-2 vs PhoenixGR-2 vs IronPhoenix vs Iron