# The Rundown AI — OpenAI raises its own bar with ChatGPT Images 2.5

- Company: The Rundown AI (therundown.ai)
- Announced: 2026-09-09T13:22:14.702000+00:00
- Category: capability-change
- Coverage: not counted
- Announcement: yes
- Group: announcements
- Source: https://www.therundown.ai/news/openai-chatgpt-images-2-5-speed-editing-arena
- Record: https://forck.live/items/10358-openai-raises-its-own-bar-with-chatgpt-images-2-5
- Subject: Reporting
- Models affected: GPT-Image-2, Flare, Sunburst

OpenAI released ChatGPT Images 2.5, claiming up to 50% lower latency than Images 2.0, more precise editing, and new interface features like @Sketch, image comments, and templates. Two API models, Flare (speed) and Sunburst (precision), were introduced. The models hold preliminary top positions on Arena image generation and editing boards, with limited votes compared to the predecessor.

## Evidence

Verbatim from https://www.therundown.ai/news/openai-chatgpt-images-2-5-speed-editing-arena:

> OpenAI announced ChatGPT Images 2.5 on September 8, promising image generation with up to 50% lower latency than Images 2.0, more precise editing, and new ways to sketch, annotate, and share image prompts.

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Record: https://forck.live/items/10358-openai-raises-its-own-bar-with-chatgpt-images-2-5
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