GPT Image 2.6 Flare vs GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst
Which one to choose
Pick GPT Image 2.6 Flare for drafts, variations and quick edits, since OpenAI describes it as the 2.6 model for fast iteration. Pick GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst when the image has many specified details or an edit has to follow your instruction precisely, since OpenAI describes it as the model for detailed visual work. Both generate from text and edit supplied images, and OpenAI lists the same token rates for both, so the job decides the choice.
Pricing comparison
| GPT Image 2.6 Flare | GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst | |
|---|---|---|
| Model maker | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Delivery availability | Available | Available |
| Context window | - | - |
| Max output | - | - |
| Official price | Input$5.00per 1M tokensOutput$30.00per 1M tokens | Input$5.00per 1M tokensOutput$30.00per 1M tokens |
| Verified price | Input$3.50per 1M tokensOutput$21.00per 1M tokens | Input$3.50per 1M tokensOutput$21.00per 1M tokens |
| Model performance | Collecting data | Collecting data |
| Capabilities | Text to ImageImage Edit | Text to ImageImage Edit |
Choose GPT Image 2.6 Flare when
- You explore a concept and want several variations before you choose one direction.
- Your workflow is draft, look, adjust and repeat, so a short loop matters most.
- You make everyday visuals such as article headers or social images, where fine detail comes second.
Choose GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst when
- Your scene has many specified elements that all have to appear in the right places.
- An edit must follow your instruction precisely and stay close to the supplied image.
- You picked a direction in a faster pass and now want a more finished version.
How they differ
| Aspect | GPT Image 2.6 Flare | GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI's positioning | The 2.6 model for fast iteration. | The 2.6 model for detailed visual work. |
| Typical jobs | Drafts, variations and everyday changes to a picture. | Detailed compositions and finished renders with many described elements. |
| Image edits | Good for quick tweaks to a supplied image, checked before the next change. | Aimed at precise edits that stay close to the supplied reference. |
| Interface | Image generation and image edit endpoints, with images as the only output. | The same two endpoints and the same image-only output. |
| Token rates | OpenAI lists the same token rates as Sunburst. | OpenAI lists the same token rates as Flare, so the job decides. |
Summary
- GPT Image 2.6 Flare: Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 per 1M tokens; GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst: Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 per 1M tokens. Rates depend on the billing unit, specification, and usage. Compare matching conditions in the model's detailed pricing; a single rate does not determine the total cost.
FAQ
Is GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst better than Flare?
Not in every case. OpenAI describes Sunburst for detailed visual work and Flare for fast iteration, so the two names point to different jobs. Try both on a few of your own prompts, since taste in images varies by subject.
Can I draft with Flare and finish with Sunburst?
Yes, and it is a sensible way to work. Explore concepts and variations with Flare, pick a direction, then rerun it or an edit on Sunburst with more detailed instructions. Both use the same image generation and image edit endpoints, so you can switch between them in one workflow.
Do Flare and Sunburst cost the same?
OpenAI lists the same token rates for both models, so the listed rate does not decide between them. What a picture costs still depends on how many tokens a request uses, and the data table on this page shows the current rates.
Which GPT Image 2.6 features are missing from both?
OpenAI documents complexity control, markup-guided edits, and SVG and GIF output for the 2.6 models. These options are not offered here yet for either model. Text-to-image generation and image editing work today, so check each model page for current options.
Which is cheaper, GPT Image 2.6 Flare or GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst?
GPT Image 2.6 Flare: Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 per 1M tokens; GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst: Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 per 1M tokens. Rates depend on the billing unit, specification, and usage. Compare matching conditions in the model's detailed pricing; a single rate does not determine the total cost.
What are the key differences between GPT Image 2.6 Flare and GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst?
Both models share similar capabilities.
Sources
Reviewed Nov 5, 2026