Key Points
- ChatGPT Images now generates images up to four times faster than the prior model.
- The update improves instruction following, allowing add, subtract, blend, and transpose actions.
- Enhanced text rendering enables clearer, smaller, and denser text within images.
- A new Images section in the ChatGPT sidebar offers preset filters and prompt ideas.
- OpenAI rolls out the update to all users while maintaining support for older versions.
- The upgrade arrives amid rising usage of Google’s Gemini chatbot, intensifying competition.
A portrait of Sam Altman, in the style of Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Performance Gains and Speed
OpenAI announced that the refreshed ChatGPT Images model delivers generation speeds up to four times faster than its predecessor. Users who have experienced delays during peak periods—especially those without a ChatGPT Plus subscription—can now expect a more responsive experience. The speed boost is highlighted as a welcome improvement for frequent users of the platform.
Enhanced Editing Capabilities
The new model expands on the system’s ability to follow detailed instructions. Users can request specific edits such as adding, subtracting, combining, blending, or even transposing elements within an image that the model has just generated. This finer‑grained control is intended to give creators more flexibility and precision when shaping visual outputs.
Improved Text Rendering
OpenAI also claims that the updated ChatGPT Images handles text more effectively. Historically, image generation models have struggled with rendering clear, small, or dense text. According to the company, the new version can now produce legible text in tighter spaces, addressing a long‑standing limitation for many use cases.
User Interface Updates
Alongside the backend enhancements, OpenAI is adding a dedicated Images section to the ChatGPT sidebar. This new area will house preset filters and curated prompts designed to inspire users and simplify the generation process. The interface change aims to make visual creation more accessible directly within the chat environment.
Industry Context and Competition
The release comes as Google reports a surge in usage of its Gemini chatbot, noting a jump from 450 million to 650 million users over a few months. OpenAI’s upgrade is positioned as a strategic response, reinforcing the visual generation component of its ecosystem while the company continues to support legacy versions like GPT‑4o for users who prefer the older tool.
Company Outlook
OpenAI emphasized that the update represents an early step in the broader potential of image generation. A company spokesperson said, “We believe we’re still at the beginning of what image generation can enable,” and highlighted expectations for finer‑grained edits and richer, more detailed outputs across languages in future releases. The new ChatGPT Images is being rolled out to all users starting today, with the option to continue using older versions through custom configurations.
Source: engadget.com