IBM Heron r2 vs IQM Garnet Specs, Pricing & Performance [2026]
Quick Verdict
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Heron r2 offers more physical qubits (156 qubits).
Specification Comparison
| Metric | IBM Heron r2 | IQM Garnet |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Qubits | 156 ✓ | 20 |
| Technology | Superconducting | Superconducting |
| 2Q Gate Fidelity | 99.50% | 99.50% |
| 1Q Gate Fidelity | 99.97% ✓ | 99.94% |
| Readout Fidelity | 99.80% ✓ | 98.50% |
| Quantum Volume | 256 ✓ | 128 |
| CLOPS | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| T1 (Relaxation) | 300 µs ✓ | 150 µs |
| T2 (Dephasing) | 200 µs ✓ | 100 µs |
| 1Q Gate Time | 60 ns | 20 ns ✓ |
| 2Q Gate Time | 680 ns | 120 ns ✓ |
| Connectivity | Heavy Hex (deg 3) | Custom (deg 4) |
| Max Circuit Depth | 6,000 ✓ | 1,000 |
| Max Shots | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Dynamic Circuits | Yes | No |
| Error Mitigation | Available | Available |
| Cloud Platforms | 3 platforms | 2 platforms |
Green bold values with a checkmark indicate the better result for each metric.
Pricing Comparison
Example: 10-qubit, 50-depth circuit, 1,000 shots — estimated cost on cheapest platform: IBM Heron r2: $8.00 vs IQM Garnet: $1.75
Superconducting IBM Heron r2
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best IBM Quantum | $1.60/sec | Available |
| Strangeworks | $1.60/sec | Available |
| qBraid | $1.60/sec | Available |
Superconducting IQM Garnet
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best Amazon Braket | $0.001450/shot | Available |
| qBraid | $0.001450/shot | Available |
Use Case Recommendations
More qubits (156 qubits) allows encoding larger problem instances.
Supports dynamic circuits and mid-circuit measurement required for active error correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBM Heron r2 and IQM Garnet?
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Heron r2 offers more physical qubits (156 qubits).
Which is better for quantum chemistry, IBM Heron r2 or IQM Garnet?
For quantum chemistry simulations (VQE, UCCSD), IBM Heron r2 is preferred due to its higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.50% vs 99.50%). Higher gate fidelity directly reduces circuit error rates in chemistry algorithms.
How do the prices compare between IBM Heron r2 and IQM Garnet?
IBM Heron r2 is available from $1.60/sec on IBM Quantum. IQM Garnet is available from $0.001450/shot on Amazon Braket. Note that pricing models differ — per-shot pricing is directly comparable while AQT and HQC models depend on circuit structure.
Which QPU has better connectivity, IBM Heron r2 or IQM Garnet?
IBM Heron r2 uses Heavy Hex connectivity (degree 3) while IQM Garnet uses Custom connectivity (degree 4).
What are the coherence times for IBM Heron r2 vs IQM Garnet?
IBM Heron r2: T1=300 µs, T2=200 µs. IQM Garnet: T1=150 µs, T2=100 µs. IBM Heron r2 has longer coherence times, which generally allows for deeper circuits before errors accumulate.
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