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GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst

OpenAI's most capable image generation and editing model, released as a September 8, 2026 snapshot alongside the faster GPT-Image-2.5 Flare. It is first on both the LMArena text-to-image and image-edit leaderboards and on Artificial Analysis' image arena.

OpenAIImage modelReleased September 2026Data checked October 18, 2026

This model is not in the current people's rankings: it is either new and still collecting votes, or ranked below the top 12. See the AI leaderboard for the models people rate highest.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • First on LMArena text-to-image by a wide margin (about 90 points ahead of the next model here)
  • First on LMArena image editing
  • Also first on the Artificial Analysis text-to-image arena
  • Expensive at top quality: Artificial Analysis lists about $211 per 1,000 images at max quality
  • Closed model with no downloadable weights

Best for

  • The highest-quality images
  • Editing photos with instructions
  • Marketing visuals and product shots

Every score we have

Each bar compares this model with the best result any model on this page has on the same test.

  • LMArena text to image1,424.6Arena score 1424.6 (95% CI 1417.7 to 1431.4); 17,752 votes; entry "gpt-image-2.5-sunburst"; position 1 of 82 on the full board
  • LMArena image editing1,523.6Arena score 1523.6 (95% CI 1518.2 to 1529.0); 59,825 votes; entry "gpt-image-2.5-sunburst"; position 1 of 59 on the full board
  • Artificial Analysis image arena1,219.7Elo 1219.7 (95% CI 1209.7 to 1229.7); 12,785 appearances; position 1 of 104 on the Artificial Analysis text-to-image arena
  • Price per 1,000 images (estimate)$211$210.72 per 1,000 images (Artificial Analysis estimate)

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