The API now offers Sunburst for precise editing and Flare for fast everyday generation, with faster multi-turn responses.
OpenAI released ChatGPT Images 2.5, which follows multi-turn instructions better, responds faster, and preserves subjects from reference photos. The API now exposes two model IDs: gpt-image-2.5-sunburst for precise editing and gpt-image-2.5-flare for fast everyday generation. OpenAI reports its image generation models have generated more than 3 billion images.
OpenAI positioned Sunburst as the better choice when editing precision matters, and Flare as the fast option for high-quality everyday image generation. The model names map to new IDs in the API, giving the ChatGPT Images product separate code paths for these workflows. Simon Willison documented the release and upgraded his openai_image.py CLI to pass one or more reference images into either model.
Builders can now choose between Sunburst for editing precision and Flare for fast everyday generation. Teams handling reference photos should route those jobs to Sunburst, while high-volume general prompts can use Flare. The API’s two model IDs allow deliberate routing, and command-line users can feed reference images through Willison’s upgraded openai_image.py tool.
Willison identified Sunburst as the stronger option for workflows where editing precision matters. Builders should test Sunburst with reference images when they need consistent subjects, and use Flare when speed matters more. Willison’s openai_image.py upgrade gives operators a direct way to compare both tiers from the command line.
What matters
- OpenAI added two new API model IDs for image generation: gpt-image-2.5-sunburst and gpt-image-2.5-flare.
- Sunburst targets precise editing; Flare targets fast generation, giving builders clear choices.
- Simon Willison added reference image support to his openai_image.py command-line tool.
Why it matters
Simon Willison added reference image support to his openai_image.py command-line tool.
This GenAI News article was prepared in original wording using reporting and materials published by Simon Willison’s Weblog. Source reference: https://simonwillison.net/2026/Sep/8/introducing-chatgpt-images-25/.
Drafted by the GenAI News review pipeline.