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OpenAI Images 2.6: GIFs, 50% Faster Images and New Flare and Sunburst Models

OpenAI Images 2.6: GIFs, 50% Faster Images and New Flare and Sunburst Models

ChatGPT

OpenAI Images 2.6 adds GIF creation, 50% faster generation and two API models, Flare and Sunburst. What changed and how to try it in ChatGPT.

AP
Staff
November 10, 2026 · 2 min read

OpenAI released Images 2.6 on November 4, 2026. It makes pictures about 50% faster than Images 2.5, can now create animated GIFs, and gives finer control over edits. It is available on every ChatGPT plan and in Codex, and developers get two API models: GPT-Image-2.6 Flare for speed and GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst for detail.

What is new in Images 2.6?

  • GIFs: you can create short animated GIFs, including from a simple sketch
  • Speed: images arrive about 50% faster than with 2.5
  • A complexity setting: a new control that trades speed for quality when editing
  • Markup in the API: the ChatGPT feature that lets you circle exactly what to change now works for developers too

These details come from GIGAZINE’s summary of OpenAI’s announcement.

What is the difference between Flare and Sunburst?

Flare is the quick one: it can produce a low-quality image in about six seconds, which suits drafts, chat apps and thumbnails. Sunburst is the careful one: higher quality and more consistent when you edit the same image again and again, which suits product shots and brand work. Pricing is per token and unchanged from Images 2.5.

Is Images 2.6 the best AI image generator now?

On blind human votes, yes. On the Artificial Analysis leaderboard, Sunburst and Flare took the top two spots, ahead of the older 2.5 versions. It is also among the most expensive at maximum settings. Our November 2026 image generator comparison shows where cheaper rivals like Google’s Nano Banana 2.1 make more sense.

How popular is ChatGPT image generation?

Very. OpenAI said people create over 4 billion images a week, more than 500 million a day, across ChatGPT, Codex and the API.

How do I try it?

Open ChatGPT on web, desktop or mobile and ask for an image or a GIF. The update is rolling out to all plans, so it may take a few days to reach every account. For tips, see how to get better results from AI image generators.

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Best AI Image Generator (November 2026): GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana 2.1 vs Grok Imagine

Best AI Image Generator (November 2026): GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana 2.1 vs Grok Imagine

Comparisons

GPT Image 2.6, Nano Banana 2.1, MAI-Image-2.6, Grok Imagine and Muse Image compared by blind-vote ranking and price per image. Which AI image generator to pick.

AP
Staff
November 9, 2026 · 2 min read

The best AI image generator in November 2026 is OpenAI’s GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst on quality, Google’s Nano Banana 2.1 on value, and Meta’s Muse Image on price. That is based on the Artificial Analysis text-to-image leaderboard, which ranks models by blind votes from people who pick the better picture without knowing which AI made it, checked on November 8.

Which AI image generators rank highest right now?

The top of the leaderboard, with the price for 1,000 images:

  • GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst (OpenAI): Elo 1259, about 211 dollars
  • GPT Image 2.6 Flare (OpenAI): Elo 1228, about 211 dollars
  • Nano Banana 2.1 (Google): Elo 1176, about 34 dollars
  • MAI-Image-2.6 (Microsoft): Elo 1168, about 39 dollars
  • Grok Imagine Image 2.0 (xAI): Elo 1166, 60 dollars
  • Muse Image (Meta): Elo 1128, 10 dollars

Elo is a score borrowed from chess: higher means people preferred its images more often. A gap of 10 or 20 points is small and can fall within the margin of error.

Which one should I choose?

  • Best quality and precise edits: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst. OpenAI holds the top five spots, but its maximum settings cost about six times more than Google’s
  • Best value: Nano Banana 2.1, close to the top for a fraction of the price, and strong at photoreal images
  • Cheapest serious option: Meta Muse Image at about a cent per picture, though note our report on Muse Image privacy
  • Fast and cheap layouts: Grok Imagine Image 2.0
  • Commercial photography look: Microsoft MAI-Image-2.6

What about Midjourney and Ideogram?

They are still popular, just not top of this vote. Midjourney V8.2 has no public API and is subscription-only, so it is mainly for artists who like its look. Ideogram remains a strong choice when you need readable text inside images, like posters and logos, according to Teamday’s review.

Is the most expensive model always worth it?

No. Leaderboards measure what most voters like in general, not your specific job. For social posts and drafts, a cheaper fast model is often enough, and you can save the top model for final images. Our guide to getting better results from AI image generators shows how better prompts close much of the gap.

Can I use these images commercially?

Usually yes on paid plans, but check each tool’s terms, and remember the legal questions are not settled. Our explainer on AI images and copyright covers what to watch for.

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