What is GPT Image 2.6?

GPT Image 2.6 is OpenAI's newest image family on NightCafe. It launched on 9 November 2026 as two PRO models:

• GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst — detailed scenes and tighter control, including careful edits.
• GPT Image 2.6 Flare — faster generation and editing when you want to iterate.

Both models share the same Quality and Resolution settings, and the same credit table. Quality defaults to Low. Low at Medium Res (about 1K) is 2.5 credits.

GPT Image 2.6 is not the everyday 1-credit pick. GPT Image 2.5 Flare on Quality Low is still about 1 credit, and that Low setting is unlimited on AI Creator and above. Choose 2.6 when you want the newer OpenAI generation and will spend the extra credits.

Independent Artificial Analysis text-to-image arenas (checked 9 November 2026) rank GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst (max) first (Elo about 1259) and Flare (max) second (Elo about 1228), just ahead of GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst (max). Those scores are for the Max quality setting, which is 21.25 credits at about 1K. A top arena rank at Max is not the same thing as the best credit value.

What it's good at

• Prompt fidelity and typography — detailed briefs and readable text.
• Prompt to Edit — add a start image and describe the change.
• Multi-image fusion — up to 16 start images. Each start image adds 1 credit.
• Consistent characters — each character also adds 1 credit.
• Quality ladder — Low, Medium, High, Extra High, and Max. Start on Low; step up only when you need more polish.
• Resolution — Medium Res (about 1K) and High Res (about 2K).

How to use it

In Studio, pick GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or GPT Image 2.6 Flare from the model picker (OpenAI). Write a prompt, optionally add start images, choose Quality and Resolution, then Generate.

You generate one image at a time. The default aspect ratio is 1:1. Other ratios include 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 16:9, 9:16, 21:9, and 9:21.

Write a clear brief: subject, action, setting, camera, and any exact text in quotation marks.

A square product photo for an online shop. A ceramic pour-over coffee dripper in matte speckled cream sits on a walnut board, with a linen cloth and a small bowl of coffee beans. Soft window light from the left. The kraft card in front reads "HOUSE BLEND". Photoreal, clean background.

To edit an existing image, add it as a Start Image (or use Prompt to Edit) and describe only the change.

Change the dripper from cream ceramic to glossy dark green, and keep the walnut board, linen, beans, lighting, and camera position the same.

Quality and credits

Credits are per image and depend on Quality and Resolution. Sunburst and Flare use the same table. Each start image adds 1 credit. Each consistent character adds 1 credit.

GPT Image 2.6 is not unlimited on any plan. GPT Image 2.5 Low can still be unlimited on AI Creator and above when the job is 2 credits or less.

Flare vs Sunburst

• Sunburst — detailed scenes and edits where the rest of the frame should stay put.
• Flare — faster results when you are iterating.

Both use the same credit table. You are choosing speed and precision, not a different price.

Good to know

• Both models are PRO.
• Quality defaults to Low. Resolution defaults to Medium Res.
• You can attach up to 16 start images. Each one adds 1 credit.
• Output is one image per generate.
• Recently added models show a New badge in the Studio picker for a couple of weeks after they launch.
• For about 1 credit, start with GPT Image 2.5 Flare on Quality Low instead.

See also GPT Image on NightCafe, GPT Image 2.5 on NightCafe, and the NightCafe AI Models Guide.