GPT Image 2.5 Launches: OpenAI Introduces Flare and Sunburst Dual-Model AI Image Generation with Sketch Tool, Multi-Turn Editing, and 4K Output

OpenAI released GPT Image 2.5, introducing two specialized image generation models - Flare for high-speed production and Sunburst for precision editing - along with a Sketch drawing tool, comment-based image editing, and output up to 4K resolution. Both models share identical token pricing and are available through the API and ChatGPT across all tiers.
Albany, Alabama/United States - September 11, 2026 -

GPT Image 2.5 introduces two specialized image generation models - Flare for high-speed production and Sunburst for precision editing - along with a Sketch drawing tool, comment-based image editing, and output up to 4K resolution.

OpenAI today released GPT Image 2.5, its latest image generation platform powering over 3 billion images per week. The update splits image creation into two purpose-built models: GPT Image 2.5 Flare for speed-first workflows and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst for precision-first creative production, while introducing new creation tools including Sketch, Templates, and comment-based editing.

OpenAI today announced the launch of GPT Image 2.5 [https://gptimg25.com], its most advanced image generation platform to date. The release introduces a dual-model architecture that gives developers and creators the flexibility to choose between speed and precision depending on their workflow.

Available immediately through the OpenAI API and ChatGPT, GPT Image 2.5 replaces the single-model approach of its predecessor with two specialized models: GPT Image 2.5 Flare [https://gptimg25.com/gpt-image-2-5-flare] for high-throughput, cost-efficient generation and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst [https://gptimg25.com/gpt-image-2-5-sunburst] for maximum editing control and production-grade creative quality.

Background: Why a Dual-Model Approach

AI image generation has matured beyond experimentation into daily creative production. Teams across marketing, e-commerce, publishing, and design now need different things from the same technology: some workflows demand maximum speed for rapid iteration, while others require maximum precision for brand-critical deliverables.

Previous single-model architectures forced users to compromise - accept slower generation for quality, or sacrifice editing fidelity for speed. GPT Image 2.5 addresses this fundamental tension by offering two models at the same token price, letting teams route each request to the right model for the job.

GPT Image 2.5 Flare: Speed-First Image Generation

GPT Image 2.5 Flare is OpenAI's speed-optimized "small" model and the default recommended choice for most API applications. It delivers significantly lower latency and 2-4 times faster throughput than GPT Image 2, with comparable or better image quality.

Early partner Manus confirmed real-world 2-4 times speed improvements along with better transparent-background output quality.

Key capabilities include:

- 2-4 times faster throughput compared to GPT Image 2, validated by early partners

- Default API recommendation for most image generation applications

- Quality tiers from low to max with flexible resolution up to 4K (3840 times 2160)

- Transparent background support with improved alpha-channel output

- Reference-guided creation for consistent visual style across batches

- Same token pricing as Sunburst - no speed premium

GPT Image 2.5 Flare is best suited for social media content, e-commerce product images, marketing asset generation, rapid prototyping, visual search, and any workflow where speed and volume matter.

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst: Precision-First Creative Editing

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst is OpenAI's precision-optimized "base" model, built for production-ready creative work that demands the tightest editing control and highest image quality.

Early partner Higgsfield AI noted that the model "understands what not to change" - preserving unedited regions with greater fidelity across successive rounds of editing.

Key capabilities include:

- Highest image quality in the GPT Image family, surpassing GPT Image 2

- Tightest multi-turn editing control - changes only what is asked while preserving everything else

- Best subject preservation - faces, products, and brand elements remain consistent across edits

- Complex composition handling - accurate editing even in busy, multi-subject scenes

- Up to 4K resolution output with five quality tiers (low, medium, high, xhigh, max)

- Lowest unsafe generation rate at 1.09% (vs. 1.41% for Flare, 1.64% for GPT Image 2)

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst is best suited for campaign creative, polished product photography, brand collateral, magazine-quality imagery, multi-round refinement workflows, and design tool integration where precision and brand accuracy are non-negotiable.

New Creation Tools in ChatGPT

GPT Image 2.5 introduces three new creative tools available across all ChatGPT tiers:

Sketch Tool - Type @Sketch in ChatGPT to draw rough layouts and concepts directly in the chat. The model transforms sketches into polished, finished images. As OpenAI noted, "Some ideas are easier to draw than describe."

Comment-Based Editing - Place comments directly on specific spots in an image (e.g., "make this darker", "change this to blue") for precise, localized edits without re-describing the entire scene in text.

Templates - Pre-built templates for posters, merchandise, flyers, and product photos. Users add their own text, design elements, or style on top, lowering the barrier to creating from scratch.

Technical Specifications

Feature | GPT Image 2.5 Flare | GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst

API Model ID | gpt-image-2.5-flare | gpt-image-2.5-sunburst

Model Size Tag | Small | Base

Core Strength | Speed, throughput | Precision, editing control

Image Quality | Comparable to or better than GPT Image 2 | Higher than GPT Image 2

Max Resolution | 3840 times 2160 (4K) | 3840 times 2160 (4K)

Output Formats | PNG, JPEG, WebP | PNG, JPEG, WebP

Content Provenance | C2PA + SynthID | C2PA + SynthID

Pricing

Flare and Sunburst share identical token pricing: $5/1M text input, $8/1M image input, $30/1M image output.

Estimated per-image costs at 1024 times 1024: from ~$0.006 (low quality) to ~$0.211 (max quality). Notably, the high quality tier in GPT Image 2.5 uses the former medium token budget - approximately 4 times cheaper than the old high setting for comparable output.

Enterprise Integration

Adobe has announced integration of both Flare and Sunburst into Adobe Firefly, marking the first OpenAI image models to appear in the Firefly platform. The dual-provenance system (C2PA metadata + Google DeepMind SynthID invisible watermark) satisfies enterprise compliance requirements for AI-generated content.

Migration from GPT Image 2

GPT Image 2.5 is fully backward-compatible. Change gpt-image-2 to gpt-image-2.5-flare (for most use cases) or gpt-image-2.5-sunburst (for precision work). All API endpoints remain unchanged. GPT Image 2 continues to be available.

Availability

GPT Image 2.5 is now available through the OpenAI API and ChatGPT across all tiers (Free, Plus, Pro, Work).

Try GPT Image 2.5 Flare: GPT Image 2.5 Flare AI Image Generator

Try GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst: GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst AI Image Generator

Frequently Asked Questions about GPT Image 2.5

Q: What is GPT Image 2.5?

A: GPT Image 2.5 is OpenAI's latest image generation platform, released September 8, 2026. It introduces two specialized models - Flare for speed and Sunburst for precision - along with Sketch, Templates, and comment-based editing.

Q: What is the difference between GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst?

A: GPT Image 2.5 Flare is the speed-optimized model delivering 2-4 times faster throughput, ideal for batch generation, marketing, and e-commerce. GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst is the precision-optimized model with the tightest editing control, best for campaign creative and multi-round refinement.

Q: How much does GPT Image 2.5 cost?

A: Flare and Sunburst share the same token pricing: $5/1M text input, $8/1M image input, $30/1M image output. Per-image costs range from ~$0.006 (low) to ~$0.211 (max). The high tier is approximately 4 times cheaper than the equivalent in GPT Image 2.

Q: Does GPT Image 2.5 support transparent backgrounds?

A: Yes. Both Flare and Sunburst support true alpha-channel transparent background output in PNG format.

Q: What resolution does GPT Image 2.5 support?

A: Both models support resolutions up to 4K (3840 times 2160), with custom sizes in multiples of 16 and aspect ratios from 1:3 to 3:1.

Q: How does GPT Image 2.5 handle content safety?

A: GPT Image 2.5 uses multi-layered safety including prompt filtering, input classifiers, joint edit analysis, and output classifiers. All images include C2PA metadata and SynthID invisible watermarks for provenance verification.

About GPT Image 2.5

GPT Image 2.5 is OpenAI's next-generation image generation platform, powering over 3 billion images per week. The platform splits image creation into Flare for high-speed production and Sunburst for precision editing, and introduces Sketch, Templates, and comment-based editing tools. OpenAI was founded in 2015 and develops artificial intelligence systems and tools for individuals and organizations. The platform is intended to support developers, designers, marketers, and other creators across API and ChatGPT workflows.

Media Contact
Company Name: GPT Image 2.5
Contact Person: Calvin Claire
Email:Send Email [https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=gpt-image-25-launches-openai-introduces-flare-and-sunburst-dualmodel-ai-image-generation-with-sketch-tool-multiturn-editing-and-4k-output]
Phone: 54745645
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Country: United States
Website: https://gptimg25.com/

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