OpenAI's Images 2.6 Makes GIFs and Splits the API Into a Fast Model and a Consistent One, as Users Make 4 Billion Images a Week
OpenAI released Images 2.6 on November 4 in ChatGPT, Codex and the API. It adds animated GIFs, generates images 50% faster than before by OpenAI's measure, and offers two API models: GPT-Image-2.6 Flare, which can return a low-quality image in about six seconds, and Sunburst, aimed at consistency across edits. OpenAI says people now create 4 billion images a week across its products.
OpenAI is treating images as a volume business now, and Images 2.6 is built for speed and repeat edits rather than a single showpiece picture. Released on November 4 in ChatGPT, Codex and the API, the update adds animated GIFs, generates images 50% faster than before, according to OpenAI, and splits the API into two models. OpenAI says people now create 4 billion images a week across its products, up from about 3 billion in September, The Verge reported.
Two API models#
- GPT-Image-2.6 Flare can produce an image "in as little as six seconds" when quality is set to low, OpenAI says, and improves layout for posters and product images.
- GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst targets higher quality and "even greater image consistency across edits" at medium or high quality.
Developers also get image markup, already in ChatGPT, for pointing at the exact spot to change; SVG export; and a new complexity parameter that sets how much planning the model does. OpenAI recommends low complexity for quick edits.
GIFs#
OpenAI pitches GIFs at marketers and creators: animated mascots, reaction memes and storyboards for testing character movement before making video. The Verge reported that users can adjust GIF speed and edit individual frames. Early customers quoted by OpenAI include OpenArt and Figma Weave.
Images 2.6 is available globally in ChatGPT and Codex on all subscription tiers, on desktop, mobile and web. The 4 billion figure works out to more than half a billion images a day, a scale that fits OpenAI's claim that ChatGPT has passed 1.2 billion weekly users.
Limits#
- The speed and consistency claims are OpenAI's own; we have not seen independent tests or image-leaderboard results for Images 2.6.
- OpenAI links API pricing but does not state it in the announcement, and we have not compared it with the previous model.
- The weekly image count is OpenAI's figure and covers ChatGPT, Codex and the API combined.