OpenAI Launches GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and Sunburst: Adds GIFs, SVG Export and 6-Second API Generation
By Asif Razzaq | November 4, 2026
OpenAI has shipped Images 2.6 across ChatGPT, Codex, and the API. For developers, the centerpiece is GPT-Image-2.6, released as two API models: Flare and Sunburst. According to OpenAI, Images 2.6 generates images 50% faster than the previous release. The update also introduces GIF output, SVG export, markup-guided edits, and a new complexity parameter.
TL;DR
- Size: Closed weights, token-billed image API.
- Runs on: OpenAI-hosted only (ChatGPT, Codex, API).
- Performance: 50% faster image generation than the previous release, per OpenAI.
- Best case: Flare can return an image in as little as 6 seconds at low quality.
- Worst case: No benchmark scores or per-image cost table have been published for 2.6.
!Static image animation and GIF generation output
Image source: OpenAI
What Is GPT-Image-2.6?
GPT-Image-2.6 is OpenAI's image generation and editing model family for the API. It accepts text and image inputs and returns images. (Full documentation available on OpenAI's developer site.)
via MarkTechPost