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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 1.5 vs. Seedream 4.0

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series
44
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
2026-08-26

Change image model selection

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for GPT Image 1.5 and Seedream 4.0
AttributeGPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0
ProviderOpenAIByteDance
ReleasedDecember 2025September 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleMarked as deprecated by OpenAI Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output1,536 × 1,024 pixels4K
Arena configurationHighNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$133 per 1,000 images$30 per 1,000 images
Editing price$133 per 1,000 images$30 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
GPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 1.5$133
Seedream 4.0Lower price$30
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 1.5$133
Seedream 4.0Lower price$30

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. This pair also shares 38 results from published research benchmarks.

GPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 1.5Higher blind-rank score33.3 / 100
Seedream 4.018.5 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 1.5Higher blind-rank score37 / 100
Seedream 4.019.7 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 1.5Higher blind-rank score85.2 / 100
Seedream 4.013.6 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 1.549.4 / 100
Seedream 4.0Higher blind-rank score67.9 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for GPT Image 1.5 and Seedream 4.0
BenchmarkGPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0
GenExam Mathematics, strict
Higher benchmark score26.5 %
2.6 %
GenExam Physics, strict
Higher benchmark score46 %
3.5 %
GenExam Chemistry, strict
Higher benchmark score39 %
5.9 %
GenExam Biology, strict
Higher benchmark score56.4 %
18.6 %
GenExam Geography, strict
Higher benchmark score60.6 %
10.6 %
GenExam Computer science, strict
Higher benchmark score36.3 %
6.9 %
GenExam Engineering, strict
Higher benchmark score44.1 %
11.7 %
GenExam Economics, strict
Higher benchmark score42.9 %
5.2 %
GenExam Music, strict
Higher benchmark score29.2 %
0 %
GenExam History, strict
Higher benchmark score51.2 %
7.3 %
GenExam overall, strict
Higher benchmark score43.2 %
7.2 %
GenExam Mathematics, relaxed
Higher benchmark score65.8 %
39.8 %
GenExam Physics, relaxed
Higher benchmark score85.4 %
49 %
GenExam Chemistry, relaxed
Higher benchmark score78.1 %
46.1 %
GenExam Biology, relaxed
Higher benchmark score91.9 %
71 %
GenExam Geography, relaxed
Higher benchmark score92.5 %
65.1 %
GenExam Computer science, relaxed
Higher benchmark score75.8 %
52.2 %
GenExam Engineering, relaxed
Higher benchmark score86.4 %
60 %
GenExam Economics, relaxed
Higher benchmark score85.5 %
56 %
GenExam Music, relaxed
Higher benchmark score70.8 %
34.5 %
GenExam History, relaxed
Higher benchmark score90.9 %
56.7 %
GenExam overall, relaxed
Higher benchmark score82.3 %
53 %
GRADE reasoning
Higher benchmark score54.5 / 100
32.4 / 100
GRADE consistency
Higher benchmark score82.3 / 100
53.2 / 100
GRADE readability
Higher benchmark score90.7 / 100
77 / 100
GRADE accuracy
Higher benchmark score16 / 100
3.1 / 100
GEBench Chinese, single-step
Higher benchmark score83.79 / 100
62.04 / 100
GEBench Chinese, multi-step
Higher benchmark score56.97 / 100
48.64 / 100
GEBench Chinese, fictional app
Higher benchmark score60.11 / 100
49.28 / 100
GEBench Chinese, real app
Higher benchmark score55.65 / 100
50.93 / 100
GEBench Chinese, grounding
53.33 / 100
Higher benchmark score53.53 / 100
GEBench Chinese, overall
Higher benchmark score63.22 / 100
52.88 / 100
GEBench English, single-step
Higher benchmark score80.8 / 100
53.28 / 100
GEBench English, multi-step
Higher benchmark score58.87 / 100
37.57 / 100
GEBench English, fictional app
Higher benchmark score63.68 / 100
47.92 / 100
GEBench English, real app
Higher benchmark score58.93 / 100
49.36 / 100
GEBench English, grounding
Higher benchmark score49.23 / 100
44.17 / 100
GEBench English, overall
Higher benchmark score63.16 / 100
46.46 / 100
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
Higher blind-rank score33.3 / 100
Mean rank: 19 (20 / 18 / 19)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1 / 2
18.5 / 100
Mean rank: 23 (23 / 23 / 23)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1 / 2
Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
Higher blind-rank score37 / 100
Mean rank: 18 (18 / 16 / 20)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
19.7 / 100
Mean rank: 22.67 (23 / 23 / 22)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 0.67 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
Higher blind-rank score85.2 / 100
Mean rank: 5 (5 / 8 / 2)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1.33 / 2
Environment: 1.33 / 2
13.6 / 100
Mean rank: 24.33 (26 / 26 / 21)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 0.33 / 2
Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
49.4 / 100
Mean rank: 14.67 (13 / 15 / 16)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 1 / 2
Diagram: 1.67 / 2
Clarity: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score67.9 / 100
Mean rank: 9.67 (6 / 8 / 15)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 1.67 / 2
Diagram: 1 / 2
Clarity: 1.67 / 2

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

2 shared result series
GPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.5Higher score1,310 Elo
Seedream 4.01,227 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.5Higher score1,251 Elo
Seedream 4.01,185 Elo

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 1.5 and Seedream 4.0
BenchmarkGPT Image 1.5Seedream 4.0Source
Text to Image Arena
Higher score1,310 Elo
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,674 ratings
1,227 Elo
Rank 17, 95% confidence interval: ±11, 4,603 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena
Higher score1,251 Elo
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 11,694 ratings
1,185 Elo
Rank 29, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,984 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

Seedream 4.0, Character and detail
GPT Image 1.5, Character and detail
GPT Image 1.5
Seedream 4.0
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:17 PM. Source
Seedream 4.0. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ByteDance-Seed/Seedream-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 0dff52ccd39400ac66ac8870c9ea937512ff1474688e70118688f420c38c2296

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 5199631ac6ff07633dd2fb6ab61c918c26e1e02f37e6131828072233ac04527d

Seedream 4.0, image SHA 256: 81b5aa023fa252472878015448b5ee1cefcbc61844dd6cff98997685d7ab1511

Seedream 4.0, request SHA 256: 84dbdb6b71e48c5944f2d15aa4069a994358e4f10f81fa84cdef4974deee2317

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Seedream 4.0, Infographic
GPT Image 1.5, Infographic
GPT Image 1.5
Seedream 4.0
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:17 PM. Source
Seedream 4.0. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ByteDance-Seed/Seedream-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 1c9ff59c32621c8b48b002dacb0ae66487262280c7c0a5b3d6456c81b248ebe9

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 7f1efc9531f1e6bed7d61a11c637add9fd892001aea2bb2781f8d89c79a2eb03

Seedream 4.0, image SHA 256: 63dcddf4bf7bb58ea0c67eea96f2c71834158568f29ed3b7f2523b56a91e6526

Seedream 4.0, request SHA 256: 3cdb665a8b6ba558cedce86e937f28b5daa3b3e7a8af57fe9562e13cab212c02

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Seedream 4.0, Product photography
GPT Image 1.5, Product photography
GPT Image 1.5
Seedream 4.0
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:16 PM. Source
Seedream 4.0. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ByteDance-Seed/Seedream-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 67cfa2f324447027ceb5f82e9446d40a1395b46ce425890a74606b4d97731cf6

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: c850843a298631a4076c5d2686de8e9d7223534f2b8ca53505f437862718bef9

Seedream 4.0, image SHA 256: 1fbad61d03b05e6cd8523e76409983e86c11c74fca2fa1a14d20f07f0d801519

Seedream 4.0, request SHA 256: 55ce222b205d1832a107db6db7f13941b81298037e4bdf6c0d25054a1dc96c7c

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Seedream 4.0, Typography and layout
GPT Image 1.5, Typography and layout
GPT Image 1.5
Seedream 4.0
Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

GPT Image 1.5. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-1.5, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
Seedream 4.0. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ByteDance-Seed/Seedream-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 1.5, image SHA 256: 6a4cec86850fd371b65274198e2bf630b3cf36a096f9fb953d4bfe17c3222ebe

GPT Image 1.5, request SHA 256: 9c3a396aecfcaae3f8a25edbe5c8c44d0d33199d7ba29efda864d2b0221c3250

Seedream 4.0, image SHA 256: 029be40f71522352246ad0de0de2e6c1ed2e45608f59c4f0e1be87b4dc2353c1

Seedream 4.0, request SHA 256: b2353ce00afff8f1dad912b51b418a7ea7da741b587814625f1ca7fc492b02c5

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

More matchups

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