# Qwen3.8-Max Preview: Alibaba Claims Performance Behind Fable 5

Times of AI Desk · 2026-07-19 · Models

[https://timesof.ai/2026/07/alibaba-qwen-3-8-max-preview](https://timesof.ai/2026/07/alibaba-qwen-3-8-max-preview)

> Alibaba previewed the 2.4T Qwen3.8-Max on Token Plan, Qoder and QoderWork, with open weights promised later. Its second-only-to-Fable 5 claim is vendor positioning; no independent ranking is verified here.

**Correction / update, October 14, 2026:** No independent leaderboard snapshot was verified, so the previous empty-board assertion is withdrawn. Campaign terms are historical, time-limited Credits discounts.

Alibaba previewed **Qwen3.8-Max-Preview**, a **2.4-trillion-parameter** model available through **Token Plan, Qoder and QoderWork**, according to July 19 reporting by SCMP and The Decoder relaying the Qwen team.

The claim that it is second only to **Claude Fable 5** is Alibaba’s positioning, not an independent finding. The Decoder also relays developer Shuai Bai’s description of image, video and document support. Open weights were promised soon, with no firm release date established by the inspected coverage.

## Qoder promotion

Qoder’s retained campaign page specifies **July 19–August 3, 10:00 UTC+8**. Eligible paid and trial users received a **90% Credits discount**, rising to **98%** during **22:00–08:00 Singapore time**. Standard, regular and off-peak multipliers were **0.5×, 0.05× and 0.01×**. Experts-mode and some subagent calls were excluded.

This was a time-limited Credits promotion, not a permanent API price reduction.

## Limits

No dated Arena or Artificial Analysis snapshot was independently verified here. That does not establish that either board lacked the model. The original empty-board assertion, unrelated Kimi/WAIC chronology and unverified subscription prices have been removed.

## Sources

- [Qoder: launch campaign](https://docs.qoder.com/events/qwen-max-preview)
- [SCMP: Alibaba’s performance claim, visible excerpt](https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3361119/alibaba-says-newest-qwen-ai-model-second-only-anthropics-claude-fable-5)
- [The Decoder: preview and open-weight plan](https://the-decoder.com/alibabas-qwen-takes-on-kimi-k3-with-open-weight-qwen-3-8-says-model-is-second-only-to-fable-5/)