Breaking

OpenAI Rolls Out Images 2.6 With GIF Support as GPT-6.2 Astra and Sol Surface in Google Cloud Quotas

November 5, 2026 at 04:07 EST

Foundation Models
Media Generation

OpenAI has launched Images 2.6, adding GIF generation and reference-image support to ChatGPT and Codex, and has introduced the Flare and Sunburst models in its API. Separately, references to two unreleased models, GPT-6.2 Astra and GPT-6.2 Sol, have appeared in Google Cloud quotas.

OpenAI · Image tools and upcoming models

Images 2.6 adds GIFs and reference images, while two next-generation models surface in cloud records

OpenAI's latest image update brings animated output and style-guiding inputs to ChatGPT and Codex, and two new API models have launched. Separately, GPT-6.2 Astra and GPT-6.2 Sol have appeared in Google Cloud quotas, a sign of pending work but not a confirmed release date.

Track 1: What Images 2.6 changes

Input

Reference images

Steer output toward a specific style or subject

→

Engine

Images 2.6

Available in ChatGPT and Codex

→

Output

Images and GIFs

Animated output now generated directly in chat

Track 2: Status of each announcement

Confirmed

GIF generation in ChatGPT and Codex
Reference-image support for Images 2.6
Flare and Sunburst models available via the API

Not yet detailed

How Flare and Sunburst differ from each other or earlier models
Pricing, rate limits, and regional availability
Capabilities, pricing, and launch timing for GPT-6.2 Astra and Sol

Key takeaway

Cloud listings suggest larger model generations are in progress, but no official release has been confirmed.

Quota listings are read as early signals, not launch dates.

Reliability across varied prompts is still an open question for the new image features.

Heavy-user pricing for image generation has not been disclosed.

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