# GPT Image 2.6

> GPT Image 2.6 is OpenAI's image model released on 4 November 2026, the model behind Images 2.6 in ChatGPT and Codex. The API has two versions: GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst, for higher quality and more consistent edits at medium or high quality, and GPT-Image-2.6 Flare, which OpenAI says can return an image in as little as six seconds at low quality. New in 2.6: animated GIFs, SVG export, image markup in the API and a complexity setting. On Kenerate AI both run in the browser with five quality tiers, 1K to 4K and up to 16 references, from 15 credits at medium 1K.

URL: https://kenerateai.com/models/openai/gpt-image-2-6
Publisher: Kenerate AI (https://kenerateai.com)
Last updated: 12 November 2026

## Key facts
- Official name: GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst · GPT-Image-2.6 Flare
- Maker: OpenAI
- Released: 4 November 2026
- In ChatGPT as: Images 2.6 (all tiers)
- New: GIF · SVG · complexity · markup
- Quality tiers: Low · medium · high · xhigh · max
- Output: 1K, 2K or 4K · 15 ratios
- References: Up to 16
- On Kenerate: From 9 credits · medium 1K 15
- Free plan: No

## Steps
1. Open the model — Go to /app/image and pick GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or GPT Image 2.6 Flare (the button on this page selects Sunburst). It needs a one-time credit pack.
2. Write the prompt — Name the format, subject, setting and light in plain sentences. Put every word that must appear in quotes and add "no other text".
3. Pick quality, size, format and ratio — Choose one of 15 ratios, 1K, 2K or 4K, a quality tier and the output format — PNG, JPG, WEBP, GIF or SVG. For GIFs, set the frame count and timing.
4. Edit with references — Upload up to 16 images and describe only the change and what must stay. Each reference adds a little to the cost, shown before you generate.

## In depth

### What's new in GPT Image 2.6
OpenAI announced Images 2.6 on 4 November 2026 for ChatGPT, Codex and the API [1][2]. The changes that matter in practice:
- Speed — OpenAI says images generate 50% faster than before, and Flare can return one in as little as six seconds at low quality [1].
- Consistency — Sunburst keeps characters, products and brand details more consistent across edits at medium or high quality [1].
- GIFs — animated output for mascots, reactions, memes and storyboards [1]; third-party guides report 2–16 frames at 20–2,000 ms [3].
- SVG export — vector files for websites, apps and print [1], from text to image only [3][4].
- Complexity — a new setting for how much planning the model does; low for quick edits, medium or high for busy scenes [1].
- Image markup — already in ChatGPT, now in the API, to point at exactly where a change goes [1].

### Sunburst or Flare
Both versions take the same inputs, quality tiers and formats, and on Kenerate they cost the same. Draft and iterate on Flare, then render the final image or run multi-step edits on Sunburst. In our café test both gave a convincing photo; Sunburst's light was deeper and it added more scene detail on its own.

### Quality, complexity and cost
Quality controls visual detail and sets the price; complexity controls how much the model plans the scene and does not change the price on Kenerate. Medium quality at 1K costs 15 credits, and max at 4K costs 255, so draft at low or medium and re-run only the keeper at a higher tier. For quick edits, use low complexity, as OpenAI recommends [1].

### Benchmarks
OpenAI's announcement gives no leaderboard numbers. Third-party trackers report Sunburst first on Rapidata's text-to-image board (1316, with Nano Banana 2.1 at 1123) and on Artificial Analysis, and second on Arena's preliminary text-to-image board [3]. Each board uses its own scale, so compare ranks rather than scores.

References:
[1] Introducing Images 2.6 — OpenAI: https://openai.com/index/introducing-images-2-6/
[2] OpenAI on X — GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and Sunburst: https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2118124964197114039
[3] ChatGPT Images 2.6: specs, benchmarks, pricing — Kingy AI: https://kingy.ai/blog/gpt-image-2-6-sunburst-flare/
[4] GPT Image 2.6 guide: Flare, Sunburst, GIFs and API features — Hugging Face community blog: https://huggingface.co/blog/ai-shu/image-2-6-explained

## FAQ
Q: What is GPT Image 2.6?
A: GPT Image 2.6 is OpenAI's image generation and editing model, released on 4 November 2026 as Images 2.6 in ChatGPT and Codex and as two API models, GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst and GPT-Image-2.6 Flare. OpenAI says it generates images 50% faster than before and adds animated GIFs, SVG export, image markup in the API and a complexity setting.

Q: When was GPT Image 2.6 released?
A: On 4 November 2026. OpenAI's announcement says Images 2.6 is available globally in ChatGPT and Codex across all subscription tiers, and that GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst and Flare are available in the API. Kenerate added both on 11 November 2026.

Q: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst vs Flare — which should I use?
A: Use Flare when speed matters: OpenAI says it can return an image in as little as six seconds at low quality, and it improves layouts for posters and product shots. Use Sunburst for final images and multi-step edits: OpenAI says it gives higher quality and more consistent edits at medium or high quality. On Kenerate both cost the same, 15 credits at medium 1K.

Q: Can GPT Image 2.6 make GIFs?
A: Yes. Animated GIF is one of its output formats. Third-party guides to OpenAI's API docs report 2 to 16 frames at 20 to 2,000 ms each, with 9 frames at 200 ms as the default. On Kenerate, pick GIF as the format in /app/image and set the frames and timing. Our AI GIF generator page shows real looping examples.

Q: Can GPT Image 2.6 make SVG files?
A: Yes, for text to image. Pick SVG as the output format and the model returns a vector file you can scale and edit. It can't turn an uploaded photo into an SVG — the edit endpoint has no SVG output — and on Kenerate an SVG costs 6 credits more than the same image as a PNG.

Q: What is the complexity setting?
A: A new GPT Image 2.6 setting for how much planning the model does before it draws. OpenAI recommends low complexity for quick edits and medium or high for scenes with many elements or constraints. It is separate from quality, which controls visual detail.

Q: How much does GPT Image 2.6 cost?
A: On Kenerate both versions share one price list: low 9, 18 or 30 credits at 1K, 2K or 4K; medium 15, 30 or 54; high 18, 36 or 63; xhigh 33, 63 or 114; and max 75, 141 or 255. Edits add 4.5 credits per reference and SVG adds 6. OpenAI's API bills by tokens: $30 per million image-output tokens, the same rate third-party guides list for 2.5.

Q: Is GPT Image 2.6 free?
A: In ChatGPT, Images 2.6 is on all subscription tiers within each plan's limits. On Kenerate it is not on the free plan: the 25 sign-up credits run the free models (Flux 2 and Qwen Image), and a one-time credit pack unlocks GPT Image 2.6. Credits never expire.

Q: GPT Image 2.6 vs GPT Image 2.5 — what changed?
A: 2.6 adds animated GIF output, SVG export, image markup in the API and the complexity setting, and OpenAI says it is 50% faster. Both have Sunburst and Flare, five quality tiers and 16 references. On Kenerate 2.6 costs 15 credits at medium 1K versus 7.2 for 2.5.

Q: Is GPT Image 2.6 better than Nano Banana 2.1?
A: It depends on the job. Third-party leaderboards put Sunburst at or near the top for text to image, ahead of Nano Banana 2.1. In our same-prompt tests GPT Image 2.6 kept poster text cleaner, while Nano Banana 2.1 kept a long price list better aligned. See our GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana 2.1 page.

Q: Can I use GPT Image 2.6 without ChatGPT Plus or an API key?
A: Yes. Kenerate AI runs both versions in the browser: sign in, pick GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or Flare in /app/image and pay per image with credits. There is no OpenAI account, API key or ChatGPT subscription involved.

Q: How good is GPT Image 2.6 at text?
A: Very good in our tests: the observatory poster, the coffee infographic, the fitness app screen and all four manga panels were spelled right on the first try. It can still shift a long list out of line, and it sometimes adds objects you didn't ask for, so check every image before you publish.

## Related pages
- ChatGPT image generator: https://kenerateai.com/chatgpt-image-generator
- AI GIF generator: https://kenerateai.com/ai-gif-generator
- AI SVG generator: https://kenerateai.com/ai-svg-generator
- GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana 2.1: https://kenerateai.com/gpt-image-2-6-vs-nano-banana-2-1
- GPT Image 2.5: https://kenerateai.com/models/openai/gpt-image-2-5
- GPT Image 2: https://kenerateai.com/model/gpt-image-2
- GPT Image prompts: https://kenerateai.com/gpt-image-2-prompts
- Nano Banana 2.1: https://kenerateai.com/model/nano-banana-2.1
- All models: https://kenerateai.com/model

## Sources
- Introducing Images 2.6 — OpenAI: https://openai.com/index/introducing-images-2-6/
- OpenAI on X — GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and Sunburst: https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2118124964197114039
- ChatGPT Images 2.6: specs, benchmarks, pricing — Kingy AI: https://kingy.ai/blog/gpt-image-2-6-sunburst-flare/
- GPT Image 2.6 guide: Flare, Sunburst, GIFs and API features — Hugging Face community blog: https://huggingface.co/blog/ai-shu/image-2-6-explained