OpenAI Launches GPT Image 1.5 To Take On Google's Nano Banana
Welcome to the new ChatGPT Images experience.
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OpenAI finally has an answer for Google's viral Nano Banana image editor.
The company's new flagship model, GPT Image 1.5, is now available within a dedicated 'Images' tab in ChatGPT, promising a "creative studio in your pocket".
Launched on 17 December 2025, the update followed the recent debut of GPT-5.2 and aimed to reclaim momentum from Google Gemini 3.
OpenAI claimed the new model is four times faster than its predecessor and excels at "precision editing" — the ability to change specific details while keeping lighting, composition, and people's appearances consistent.
Beyond speed, the update introduced a redesigned interface featuring a sidebar tab filled with preset filters and trending prompts
This "discovery feed" was designed to spark inspiration, allowing users to apply styles like "K-pop star" or "1980s VHS" to their photos without needing to write complex instructions.
Early tests showed that while Google's Nano Banana Pro still led in pure photorealism, GPT Image 1.5 took the top spot on benchmarks for instruction following.
The model was particularly adept at rendering dense, small text and complex layouts, making it a viable tool for creating marketing posters and infographics.
To access the tool, users can simply head to the new Images tab at chatgpt.com/images or find it in the sidebar of the ChatGPT app
Free users have limited access, while Plus and API users can dive into the full suite of editing tools immediately.
For developers, OpenAI also reduced API costs by 20% compared to the previous model. This makes large-scale commercial generation more affordable for platforms like Canva and Wix, which have already begun integrating the new technology.
