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GPT Image 2.6

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Intro

GPT Image 2.6 is an unreleased OpenAI image generation and editing model whose name surfaced on October 29, 2026 in OpenAI's official API specification. It is the expected successor to GPT Image 2.5, which launched in September 2026. OpenAI has not announced it yet: there is no public model id, pricing or launch date.

First spotted: @aitrackerbot on X · Discussion: @TokenGremlin · @mark_k

Explain

What is known so far

  1. Where the name appeared: OpenAI added a new markup parameter to its image edit endpoint. You pass a transparent PNG overlay (arrows, circles, scribbles) on top of the source image to show the model where and how to change it. The parameter's description says it "supports GPT Image 2.5 and 2.6".
  2. Arena testing: watchers say new OpenAI image models were being tested anonymously on Arena under stealth names such as shooting-star-green-alpha and shooting-star-red-alpha (spotted October 23), which many believe are 2.6 variants.
  3. Expectations are mixed: some posters expect a launch within days; others who tried the stealth models say the jump over 2.5 looks marginal.

Why it matters

Image models are one of the most-searched AI categories. A new version name that leaks in official docs usually becomes a search term before the launch itself, so early pages for "GPT Image 2.6" tend to catch that first wave of interest.

Status note: everything here comes from public posts and the API spec. Treat details as unconfirmed until OpenAI publishes an announcement.

Usage

How you will likely use it

  • API: once released it should be selectable in the Images API (generate and edit endpoints), the same way gpt-image-2.5 is used today.
  • Markup-guided edits: draw marks on a transparent PNG the same size as your image, then send the image plus the markup overlay and a text prompt to the edit endpoint. The marks tell the model which regions to change.
  • ChatGPT: new image models usually roll into ChatGPT image generation around the API launch.

What to do now

  • Keep using GPT Image 2.5 and try the new markup parameter, which already works with 2.5.
  • Watch OpenAI's changelog and model list for an official gpt-image-2.6 id before changing production code.