OpenAI has unveiled its latest flagship AI image generation model, ChatGPT Images powered by GPT Image 1.5, marking a significant escalation in the competitive AI race with Google. Announced on December 16, 2025, the new model delivers four times faster performance than its predecessor while introducing substantial improvements in instruction following, precise editing capabilities, and detail preservation.
The rollout comes approximately three weeks after Google released its highly-praised Nano Banana Pro AI image model alongside the Gemini 3 LLM, which reignited debates about whether Google had begun overtaking OpenAI in the AI development race. Google’s model gained viral attention over Thanksgiving when users created hyper-realistic images of famous guests at their holiday dinner tables.
OpenAI’s new model demonstrates clear quality improvements across multiple use cases. In comparative examples, the company showcased the difference between old and new versions when generating a photorealistic 1970s Chelsea, London scene, with the new model displaying notably enhanced realism and detail. Another demonstration highlighted improvements for business applications, showing a mechanic working on a car with significantly better accuracy and visual fidelity.
Beyond photorealistic images, the model supports diverse creative outputs including animated images, graphics, and various artistic styles. To maximize accessibility and user engagement, OpenAI is introducing a dedicated Images feature within the ChatGPT app, designed to “spark inspiration and make creative exploration effortless.” This represents a strategic shift from the previous integration, making AI image generation more prominent and user-friendly.
The new model is rolling out to all ChatGPT users and is available through the API as GPT Image 1.5, enabling both consumer and enterprise applications. Early testing from industry experts has been positive, with Yuchen Jin, cofounder and CTO of Hyperbolic Labs, stating the new model achieves “Nano Banana Pro level” quality in his tests, suggesting OpenAI has successfully matched or potentially exceeded Google’s recent breakthrough.
This launch represents OpenAI’s direct response to Google’s AI image gauntlet, demonstrating the company’s commitment to maintaining competitive parity in the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.
Key Quotes
Introducing ChatGPT Images, powered by our flagship new image generation model. - Stronger instruction following - Precise editing - Detail preservation - 4x faster than before
OpenAI’s official announcement on Twitter/X detailing the key improvements in their new image generation model, emphasizing the technical advancements that differentiate it from previous versions.
spark inspiration and make creative exploration effortless
OpenAI’s description of the new dedicated Images feature within the ChatGPT app, highlighting the company’s focus on user experience and accessibility for creative applications.
Nano Banana Pro level in my tests
Yuchen Jin, cofounder and CTO of startup Hyperbolic Labs, comparing OpenAI’s new Image 1.5 model to Google’s highly-praised Nano Banana Pro, suggesting OpenAI has achieved competitive parity with Google’s recent breakthrough.
Our Take
OpenAI’s rapid response to Google’s Nano Banana Pro demonstrates how competitive dynamics are accelerating AI innovation at an extraordinary pace. The three-week turnaround suggests either OpenAI had this development in progress or possesses remarkable agility in model deployment. What’s particularly notable is the strategic emphasis on speed and instruction-following rather than just image quality—indicating OpenAI understands that practical usability matters as much as raw capability. The introduction of a dedicated Images feature shows OpenAI is thinking beyond technical specifications to user experience and product design. This move could prove decisive in maintaining ChatGPT’s position as the go-to AI platform. However, the real test will be sustained innovation velocity—can either company maintain this breakneck pace, or will we see consolidation around certain capability levels? The AI image generation space is rapidly maturing, and this announcement confirms we’re in a full-scale feature war.
Why This Matters
This announcement represents a critical moment in the intensifying AI arms race between tech giants OpenAI and Google. The rapid iteration cycle—with OpenAI responding to Google’s breakthrough in just three weeks—demonstrates the unprecedented pace of AI development and the fierce competition driving innovation in generative AI technologies.
For businesses and creative professionals, these advancements signal a fundamental shift in content creation workflows. The 4x speed improvement and enhanced instruction-following capabilities make AI image generation increasingly viable for commercial applications, from marketing materials to product visualization. The dedicated API access enables enterprises to integrate sophisticated image generation directly into their platforms and services.
The broader implications extend to the democratization of creative tools and potential disruption of traditional design and photography industries. As AI models achieve near-photorealistic quality while becoming faster and more accessible, questions around authenticity, copyright, and the future of creative professions become increasingly urgent. This development also highlights how competitive pressure between major AI companies is accelerating capabilities that could reshape visual media, advertising, and digital content creation across industries.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-new-chatgpt-images-model-2025-12