# GPT Image 2.5 Release Date: Flare & Sunburst Canonical page: https://gptimagegen25.com/gpt-image-2-5-release-date Author: GPTImageGen25 Last reviewed: 2026-09-09 (September 9, 2026) OpenAI released GPT Image 2.5 on September 8, 2026. The API offers Flare for fast everyday generation and Sunburst for precise editing. ChatGPT Images 2.5 also began rolling out across ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. ## Release facts | Question | Finding | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | GPT Image 2.5 release date | September 8, 2026 | [OpenAI launch announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-5/) | | Official API model IDs | gpt-image-2.5-flare · gpt-image-2.5-sunburst | [OpenAI API changelog](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog) | | API quality settings | low · medium · high · xhigh · max · auto | [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) | | Maximum output dimensions | 3840 px per edge; 8,294,400 pixels total; above 2560×1440 experimental | [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) | | Image output token rate | $30 / 1M tokens for both models; input costs additional | [GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst model](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst) | | Transparent image output | PNG or WebP with background: transparent | [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) | ## GPT Image 2.5 capabilities ### Flare vs Sunburst OpenAI positions Flare for rapid iteration and Sunburst for detailed creative work that needs tighter editing control and longer generation times. OpenAI reports 50% lower latency for Flare than GPT Image 2; this is a provider claim, not a GPTImageGen25 benchmark. [OpenAI launch announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-5/) ### Reference fidelity and precise edits Images 2.5 improves natural lighting, textures, subject preservation, and consistency across successive edits. Briefs can target a background, object, or text while asking to preserve the surrounding composition. Review the result for unwanted changes. [OpenAI launch announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-5/) ### Quality, dimensions, and transparent backgrounds Both API models support low, medium, high, xhigh, max, and auto quality. Custom dimensions must use multiples of 16, aspect ratios from 1:3 to 3:1, edges up to 3840 px, and 655,360–8,294,400 total pixels. Outputs above 2560×1440 are experimental. Transparent output requires PNG or WebP. [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) ### API pricing and image costs Both models charge $30 per million image output tokens, matching GPT Image 2 token rates. This is not a fixed per-image price: quality, dimensions, input tokens, and optional partial images affect the total. Use the GPT Image 2.5 calculator; the GPT Image 2 calculator does not estimate 2.5 token usage. Workspace credit prices are listed separately. [GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst model](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst) ## Official sources reviewed ### [OpenAI launch announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-5/) The September 8 announcement introduces ChatGPT Images 2.5 and both API models, with improvements to reference fidelity, targeted edits, and visual style. ### [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) Documents generation, reference-image editing, transparency, quality settings, custom dimensions, and remaining text and layout limitations. ### [OpenAI API changelog](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog) The September 8, 2026 entry confirms Flare and Sunburst in the Image API and the Responses API image generation tool. ### [GPT Image 2.5 Flare model](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-flare) Model ID: gpt-image-2.5-flare. Accepts text and image inputs for generation and editing; intended for fast everyday image creation. ### [GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst model](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst) Model ID: gpt-image-2.5-sunburst. Supports generation and editing, with an emphasis on editing precision. ## Questions and answers ### Is GPT Image 2.5 released? OpenAI released GPT Image 2.5 on September 8, 2026. The API offers Flare for fast everyday generation and Sunburst for precise editing. ChatGPT Images 2.5 also began rolling out across ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. ### Was GPT Image 2.5 released on September 4, 2026? The official release date is September 8, 2026. Our earlier September 7 review could not confirm a launch; this update replaces that finding with the dated OpenAI announcement and API changelog. September 4 is not the release date documented by those sources. ### What is the difference between GPT Image 2.5 Flare and Sunburst? OpenAI positions Flare for rapid iteration and Sunburst for detailed creative work that needs tighter editing control and longer generation times. OpenAI reports 50% lower latency for Flare than GPT Image 2; this is a provider claim, not a GPTImageGen25 benchmark. ### Is gpt-image-2.5 the official API model ID? The documented API IDs are gpt-image-2.5-flare and gpt-image-2.5-sunburst. ChatGPT Images 2.5 is the product name. ImageGen25 and GPTImageGen25 refer to this independent workspace, not an additional OpenAI model. ### Can I use GPT Image 2.5 in ChatGPT or the API today? OpenAI announced rollout across all ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex tiers on September 8, 2026, and availability of both API models. Account limits and API access requirements still apply. Sketch, image comments, templates, and prompt sharing are ChatGPT features, not features of this workspace. ### Does this workspace offer all GPT Image 2.5 API controls? GPTImageGen25 offers GPT Image 2.5 and GPT Image 2 for generation and reference-image editing. The studio currently has a single GPT Image 2.5 option, three quality levels, and five aspect ratios. It does not offer a separate Flare or Sunburst selector; official API features may differ from the controls available here. ### How much does GPT Image 2.5 cost? Both models charge $30 per million image output tokens, matching GPT Image 2 token rates. This is not a fixed per-image price: quality, dimensions, input tokens, and optional partial images affect the total. Use the GPT Image 2.5 calculator; the GPT Image 2 calculator does not estimate 2.5 token usage. Workspace credit prices are listed separately. ### Does GPT Image 2.5 guarantee accurate text and consistent characters? No. OpenAI still lists limitations in text clarity, precise placement, recurring character consistency, and structured compositions. Check names, numbers, labels, and preserved details before publishing an image. ## Current workspace availability GPTImageGen25 offers GPT Image 2.5 and GPT Image 2 for generation and reference-image editing. The studio currently has a single GPT Image 2.5 option, three quality levels, and five aspect ratios. It does not offer a separate Flare or Sunburst selector; official API features may differ from the controls available here. [Open the workspace](https://gptimagegen25.com/#create) · [Prompt library](https://gptimagegen25.com/prompts) GPTImageGen25 is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by OpenAI. This is a dated documentation review, not a live feed.