Comparison
GPT Image 2 vs GPT Image 1: Which Is Better? (2026)
GPT Image 1 is also known as gpt-image-1. By OpenAI.
TL;DR Verdict
GPT Image 1 is the direct predecessor to GPT Image 2, still excellent for production use. GPT Image 2 doubles the resolution, improves speed, and enhances character consistency—upgrade when available.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT Image 2 | GPT Image 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Text Rendering | Excellent | Excellent |
| Max Resolution | 4K | 2K |
| Speed | Fast (4-6s) | Medium |
| Character Consistency | Excellent | Good |
| Transparent PNG | Yes | Yes |
| Inpainting | Yes | Yes |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
GPT Image 1 — Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- First OpenAI native multimodal image model with excellent text rendering
- Strong API integration with the OpenAI ecosystem and familiar endpoint format
- Good transparent background support for design and compositing workflows
- Reliable and well-tested with months of production use since launch
Weaknesses
- 2K maximum resolution is half of what GPT Image 2 targets
- Slower generation speed compared to the upcoming GPT Image 2
- Character consistency can drift across generations without careful prompting
Pricing Comparison
GPT Image 2
Free on our platform (8/day). API pricing expected: $0.02-0.12/image depending on quality and resolution.
GPT Image 1
$0.02-0.08/image via OpenAI API; included in ChatGPT Plus
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