# GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst

OpenAI, released 2026-11-04

**Verdict: conditional.** GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst is OpenAI's image generation and editing model for detailed visual work, with a complexity setting, SVG output, animated GIF output and markup-guided edits. Pick it over its sibling Flare when detailed visual work matters more than fast iteration. Higher complexity can add latency and unwanted changes. It suits developers and designers building detailed compositions through the API, though we have not tested it. Last verified 2026-11-13.

## Pricing

- Input: $8 / 1M tokens
- Output: $30 / 1M tokens
- Context: Image rates; img cached $2; text in $5 cached $1.25

## Strengths

- Dense text, complex layouts and object relationships. OpenAI's guide says higher complexity settings help with these, and Sunburst is the model it names for detailed visual work.
- Vector and animated output. Both SVG output and animated GIF output are listed for the 2.6 models.
- Edits guided by annotation layers. The guide lists markup-guided edits.
- Fast iteration. OpenAI's guide names Flare for fast iteration.
- Small focused edits such as background changes at the default setting. The guide says lower complexity suits these, high is the default when the field is omitted, and higher complexity can increase latency and introduce unwanted changes.

## Sources

- [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation)
- [OpenAI API changelog](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog)
- [OpenAI GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst model page](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst)
- [OpenAI GPT-Image-2.6 Flare model page](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.6-flare)

Canonical: https://neomanex.com/models/gpt-image-2-6-sunburst