ChatGPT Images 2.6 Adds GIFs and Reference Images in 2026

By PowerfulAI.tools Editorial Team

OpenAI has released ChatGPT Images 2.6, an update to the image tool built into ChatGPT. The headline additions are animated GIFs and reference images. At the same time, OpenAI released two new image models for developers, called GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst.

The update was announced on 4 November 2026 (US time), which was the morning of 5 November in Australia. Here is what changed, who can use it, what it costs and what it means if you make images with ChatGPT.

What launched

In its announcement, OpenAI described the release as "Images, upgraded" and said ChatGPT Images 2.6 comes "with GIFs and reference images". Put simply:

• Animated GIFs: ChatGPT can now make short animated images, not just still pictures.
• Reference images: you can give ChatGPT a reference image to work from, which helps when you want a result based on something you already have.

OpenAI also said the two new models coming to its developer platform offer "50% faster image generation".

The two new models: Flare and Sunburst

OpenAI's developer documentation explains that the 2.6 release comes in two versions:

• Sunburst is aimed at "detailed visual work".
• Flare is aimed at "fast iteration", meaning quick back-and-forth when you are trying out ideas.

According to OpenAI's developer changelog, both models can create and edit images, and the release adds three new abilities: an adjustable "complexity" setting, SVG output (a type of image file that stays sharp at any size, handy for logos and icons) and animated GIF output. OpenAI also added "markup-guided editing", where you mark up an image to show the model what to change, for both the 2.5 and 2.6 image models.

The complexity setting controls how much the model plans before it draws. It has three levels (low, medium and high) and is set to high unless you change it. OpenAI notes that higher complexity can take longer and can sometimes introduce unwanted changes, and that adjusting it carries no separate fee.

Who can use it and where

OpenAI said Images 2.6 is "available today in ChatGPT, and Codex across all tiers on web, desktop, and mobile". That means the update is not limited to paid plans. Free users get it too, although OpenAI did not give usage limits for each plan in its announcement.

• ChatGPT: all plans, on the website, the desktop apps and the mobile apps.
• Codex: OpenAI's coding tool, across all tiers.
• OpenAI API: for developers, GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst are available through the image generation and image editing endpoints.

What it costs

OpenAI did not announce any change to ChatGPT plan prices with this update. Because it is available across all tiers, you do not need to upgrade to try it.

For developers, OpenAI's model pages list the same prices for both Flare and Sunburst, in US dollars per million tokens (tokens are the units OpenAI uses to measure input and output):

• Text input: $5.00 (cached input $1.25)
• Image input: $8.00 (cached input $2.00)
• Image output: $30.00

OpenAI's model pages do not give a simple price per image, so the cost of each picture depends on its size and settings.

What it means for ordinary users

For most people, the biggest change is GIFs. If you make birthday messages, social media posts, simple stickers or reaction images, you can now ask ChatGPT for a short animation instead of a still image, without using a separate app.

Reference images should help when you want results that stay closer to something you already have, such as a character, a product or a particular look. Small business owners may also find SVG output useful for simple logos and icons that need to stay crisp at any size, although on OpenAI's documentation this is described as a feature of the developer models.

As with any AI image tool, check results carefully before you use them in public, especially anything involving real people, brands or text inside the image.

How we checked

We checked this story on 6 November 2026 against OpenAI's own sources: OpenAI's official announcement posts for ChatGPT Images 2.6 on its X account, the official model pages for GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst, the OpenAI API changelog and OpenAI's image generation guide. OpenAI's full release page is Introducing Images 2.6. Anything we could not confirm on an official OpenAI page has been left out.