What is Grok Imagine?
“xAI’s Grok Imagine models cover both video and image in one fluid workflow. Imagine Image 2.0 lets you create and edit polished visuals. And Imagine Video 1.5 can turn those images into cinematic clips with fluid motion, realistic physics, and synchronized speech.”
Source: Pika’s Grok Imagine page. Icon: Pika.
Grok Imagine is made by xAI. What sets it apart in Pika is the pairing: you can create an image and animate it, with speech, using models designed to work together.
The versions in Pika
| Version | Type | Released by xAI | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imagine Video 1.5 | Video (image-to-video) | June 16, 2026 | “Better motion, better physics, better audio”; sound effects, ambience and dialogue “in the same pass” |
| Imagine Image 2.0 | Image | August 7, 2026 | Trained for “photography, design, and illustration, with editing treated as a first-class capability” |
Sources: xAI, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Imagine Image 2.0. Pika’s page names both models; features available in Pika’s interface may differ from xAI’s own apps.
Imagine Image 2.0
xAI says Image 2.0 “plans typography and layout the way a designer would, so dense, multi-part visuals hold together and small text comes out sharp.” It also describes flexible framing: “pick a ratio and the model fills in the frame.”
Editing tools xAI lists
Magic wand
“Edits the region you point at and leaves the rest untouched.”
Segmentation
“Selects precise areas of the image to change.”
Background removal
“Exports any subject with a transparent background.”
Multi-ref editing
“Accepts up to 5 input images in a single generation.”
In Pika: these tools are described in xAI’s announcement for its own apps. Pika’s page confirms Image 2.0 can “create and edit polished visuals”; check the app for which editing tools it shows.
Imagine Video 1.5
xAI calls the Video 1.5 models “our best image-to-video models yet: better motion, better physics, better audio, at the fastest speeds.” The workflow is simple: “Give it a starting image, describe the motion, and choose your resolution and duration.”
- Sound in the same pass: “Sound effects, ambience, and dialogue are generated in the same pass and land on the action. Speech is clearer and better synced.”
- More stable motion: “Movement holds together over the length of a clip — fewer warps, more believable weight and momentum.”
- Fast version: xAI says Video 1.5 Fast “produces 6-second, 720p videos in about 25 seconds” in its own apps.
Pika’s page doesn’t list durations, resolutions or prices for Grok Imagine; the app shows the options and cost. See Pika pricing.
Image-to-video workflow in Pika
- Open Grok Imagine at create.pika.art/apps/grok-imagine-image and sign in through Pika’s login page.
- Create the image with Imagine Image 2.0, choosing the shape you’ll need for the video.
- Edit anything that isn’t right before animating.
- Animate it with Imagine Video 1.5: describe the motion and any dialogue.
- Check the credit cost, then generate.
- Watch with sound on: check lip sync, effects timing and motion.
Motion and speech prompt: The trumpet player lowers his trumpet, smiles at the camera and says, “Thanks for listening.” Traffic hums on the bridge above. Camera slowly pushes in.
Image examples
Four prompts for Imagine Image 2.0 across photography, design and illustration. Each shows the result from one generation, what to check and one change to try. The prompts are our own.
Magazine-style layout
A magazine cover for a travel issue: a woman in a red coat on a snowy Kyoto street, headline “WINTER IN KYOTO” at the top, three short cover lines on the left, clean modern typography, portrait layout.
What to look for: Headline and cover lines are sharp and correctly spelled; the layout feels designed.
Try one change: Add a small date line “Issue 12” and check that small text stays sharp.
Photographic portrait
A street musician in his forties playing a trumpet under a bridge at dusk, warm light from a lamp, visible texture on his jacket, shallow depth of field, photographic.
What to look for: Natural light, believable textures and a clear subject.
Try one change: Use this as the starting image for Imagine Video 1.5 (see below).
Illustrated scene
A cosy treehouse library at night, lanterns hanging from branches, a fox reading in an armchair, detailed storybook illustration, warm colours.
What to look for: A consistent illustration style across every element.
Try one change: Change to “paper-cutout style” and compare.
Product cut-out
A pair of white wireless earbuds in their open charging case, three-quarter view, soft studio light, centred, isolated on a plain background.
What to look for: A clean subject you can separate from the background.
Try one change: If background removal is offered, export with a transparent background.
Video examples with Imagine Video 1.5
Turn your sound on. Each clip starts from one of the images above.
Trumpet player speaks
He lowers his trumpet, smiles and says, “Thanks for listening.” Traffic hums above. Slow push-in.
Check: lip sync on the spoken line.
Treehouse library at night
The fox turns a page, lanterns sway, leaves rustle, an owl hoots softly. Camera static. Keep the storybook style.
Check: sounds land on the page turn and the owl.
Earbuds case opening
The case lid closes with a soft magnetic click, then opens again. Camera slowly orbits. Clean studio ambience.
Check: the click matches the lid exactly.
Magazine cover comes alive
Snow falls, the woman turns her head toward the camera, distant temple bells. Text stays still. Camera static.
Check: the headline doesn’t warp as things move.
Prompts are our own. You can also animate any image in Pika’s Video Studio; see the image-to-video guide.
When to use another model
| If you need… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Photo-real edits across a series | Nano Banana |
| Infographics and text in many languages | Seedream 5 |
| Six options per prompt | Seedream 4 |
| A transparent PNG from OpenAI’s model | GPT Image 2.5 |
| Other video models | Pika video models |
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Speech doesn’t match lip movement | Use a close or medium shot with the face clearly visible; keep the line short |
| Sound effects miss the action | Describe the sound and the moment together: “the lid closes with a click” |
| Text warps when animated | Add “text stays still”; add titles in an editor afterwards |
| Image edit changed too much | Add “keep everything else exactly the same” |
| Video changes the subject’s look | Keep motion gentle and describe only what moves |
Grok Imagine FAQs
Who makes Grok Imagine?
xAI. Pika offers its Imagine Image 2.0 and Imagine Video 1.5 models.
Can Grok Imagine make videos with speech?
Yes. Pika says Imagine Video 1.5 creates clips with “synchronized speech,” and xAI says dialogue is generated in the same pass as the video.
Can it remove backgrounds?
xAI lists background removal for Image 2.0 in its own apps. Check whether Pika’s version shows the option.
How long are Imagine Video 1.5 clips?
xAI says you choose the duration; its Fast version produces 6-second, 720p clips in its own apps. Check the options in Pika.
Do I need to disclose AI speech in videos?
Platforms such as YouTube ask creators to disclose realistic AI content, including people appearing to say things they didn’t. See our Shorts guide.
Is this the official Pika or xAI website?
No. pikaais.com is an independent informational guide, not affiliated with Pika or xAI.
Make an image that talks
Generate the trumpet player with prompt 02, then animate him saying one short line with Imagine Video 1.5.
Open Grok Imagine ↗Next: Image models · Video models · AI image hub
Sources: Pika Grok Imagine, xAI’s Imagine Image 2.0 and Grok Imagine Video 1.5 announcements, and Pika pricing, checked September 24, 2026. Images and icon: Pika. Prompts and tips are our own. Not affiliated with xAI.