Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra vs. Raw Mode: Which One Is Better?

With the latest updates, the Flux 1.1 Pro model is even more powerful at creating realistic and high-quality images with its all-new Ultra and Raw modes. But which one is actually better for your needs?

You need visuals that meet your creative needs without compromising on quality or speed. That’s why, whether you're crafting marketing campaigns or looking for natural-looking photos, the choice between Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra Mode and Raw Mode is essential.

Both modes offer high-resolution outputs, but they are customized for different uses. Let’s break down their features, strengths, and best applications so you can decide which is best for your next project.

What Are Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra And Raw Modes?

Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra and Raw Modes are part of the advanced capabilities of the Flux 1.1 Pro model. 

Ultra Mode focuses on delivering polished, highly detailed outputs that are perfect for professional campaigns and commercial visuals. Raw Mode, on the other hand, prioritizes realism, producing images that feel organic and unprocessed.

Both modes benefit from the 4x higher resolution of the Flux 1.1 Pro model compared to standard AI generators. This means sharper images, better zoom quality, and a professional finish.

But while Ultra Mode leans into refinement, Raw Mode captures the natural imperfections that make visuals more realistic.

Now, let’s dive in and explore more about the differences between the Ultra and Raw modes.

Differences Between Flux 1.1 Pro vs. Flux 1.1 Raw Mode

One of the first things to consider when comparing these modes is how they handle resolution and image quality.

Resolution And Image Quality

Both Ultra Mode and Raw Mode generate images at 2048x2048 resolution, which is four times higher than standard AI image generators. This resolution ensures sharpness and clarity, even when zoomed in. However, how each mode handles detail and texture differs.

• Ultra Mode emphasizes polished and refined visuals. Edges are sharp, textures are crisp, and overall clarity is enhanced to create a professional, finished look. This makes Ultra Mode ideal for projects like luxury product advertising or intricate concept art.
• Raw Mode, by contrast, prioritizes realism. It retains textures and imperfections, such as the natural unevenness of skin or the subtle grain of fabric. These nuances add depth and authenticity, making images feel more photographic.

For instance, in a close-up of a leather handbag, Ultra Mode would focus on the sleek, smooth surfaces and clean stitching for a high-end feel. Raw Mode, on the other hand, would capture the natural creases and slight texture variations in the leather, adding a sense of authenticity.

Now, another key difference that’s worth considering is how the two modes manage lighting and shadows.

Lighting And Shadows

Lighting is a critical element in any visual project, and the two modes approach it differently.

• Ultra Mode balances light evenly across the image. It smooths out harsh contrasts and ensures highlights and shadows are consistent. This makes it well-suited for polished visuals where clean lighting is key.
• Raw Mode captures lighting more dynamically. It adds subtle gradients and shadows that mimic real-world conditions, such as the way light naturally falls across a face or product. This creates a more dimensional, lifelike appearance.

For example, when generating a portrait, Ultra Mode produces clean and balanced lighting, perfect for professional headshots. Raw Mode would replicate the nuances of natural light streaming through a window, creating soft shadows and depth.

Now, beyond lighting, texture and detail are also uniquely handled by each mode.

Texture And Detail Handling

The way each mode handles texture and detail can significantly impact the final output.

• Ultra Mode enhances fine details like fabric weaves, metallic surfaces, and intricate patterns, creating a polished and stylized look. It’s particularly effective for visuals that need to stand out with sharpness and clarity.
• Raw Mode retains the natural roughness and irregularities of textures. Whether it’s the pores on a subject’s skin or the grain of wood in a background, Raw Mode captures these elements without over-processing, maintaining their organic feel.

This makes Raw Mode especially effective for projects where authenticity is a priority, like product photography for handmade goods or lifestyle imagery that feels unposed and real.

To give you a better idea of what each mode can achieve, here are some side-by-side examples of generated images.

Examples Of Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra vs. Raw Mode

To test the image outputs, we used the same prompts and generated images side-by-side using the Ultra mode and the Raw Mode of the Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra Model on Segmind.

1. Golden Retriever

Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra Mode:

Flux 1.1 Pro Raw Mode:

2. Garden Scene

Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra Mode:

Flux 1.1 Pro Raw Mode:

3. Jogging Scene 

Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra Mode:

Flux 1.1 Pro Raw Mode:

Now that you know the strengths of each mode, let’s explore when to use each mode for the best outputs.

When To Use Ultra Mode?

Ultra Mode is ideal for projects where polished visuals are a must. If you’re designing an ad campaign, crafting detailed concept art, or creating visuals for a presentation, Ultra Mode ensures that every pixel is sharp and clean.

For example, in a product ad featuring luxury watches, Ultra Mode enhances the shine of the metal, sharpens the edges, and emphasizes every intricate detail. The result is a visually striking image that grabs attention and communicates premium quality.

Ultra Mode also excels in creative projects like fantasy art or cinematic posters. Its ability to handle fine details makes it perfect for rendering elaborate backgrounds, intricate textures, and vibrant colors.

Pro Tip: When using Ultra Mode, opt for prompts that emphasize stylized or artistic qualities. This ensures the mode plays to its strengths, producing visually dynamic results.

When To Use Raw Mode?

Raw Mode is best for projects that demand authenticity. It’s designed to mimic the look and feel of natural photography, capturing textures, lighting, and imperfections in a way that feels natural.

For instance, if you’re creating a portfolio of lifestyle photography, Raw Mode delivers portraits that show skin textures, realistic lighting gradients, and subtle shadows. The images look as though they were captured with a high-end DSLR camera.

Raw Mode is also excellent for product photography, particularly for items like clothing or handmade goods. Capturing the texture of the fabric or the slight variations in handcrafted materials creates a connection with viewers that polished visuals often miss.

Pro Tip: For the most realistic results, combine Raw Mode with neutral or minimal prompts. This allows the tool’s naturalistic rendering to shine through.

Choosing The Right Mode For Your Workflow

Your choice between Ultra Mode and Raw Mode ultimately depends on the project’s requirements.

Use Ultra Mode when:

• You need polished visuals for professional campaigns.
• Your project demands crisp edges and clean lighting.
• You’re working on stylized or artistic concepts.

Use Raw Mode when:

• Realism and authenticity are your priorities.
• Your project involves portraits, lifestyle imagery, or products.
• You want to emphasize textures and natural imperfections.

With Segmind’s PixelFlow, you can even combine various AI models with Flux 1.1 Pro ultra and create your own custom AI workflow. The best part? It requires no coding! Just a simple visual interface that allows you to create your own custom generative AI workflow efficiently, saving you a lot of time in the developing and testing process.

Here’s an example of the Portrait Video PixelFlow workflow created using Segmind’s Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra model and the Kling AI video generation model.

Final Thoughts

Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra and Raw Modes offer two distinct approaches to image generation. Ultra Mode is the solution for projects where precision and polish are essential, while Raw Mode excels at delivering authentic, camera-like results.

Each mode brings unique strengths to the table, making them versatile tools for a variety of creative workflows.

To experience the best of both modes, try Segmind’s Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra model and explore how Ultra and Raw Modes can enhance your projects, along with other latest AI image and video generation models.