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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 1.5 vs. Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

8

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

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 Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
AttributeGPT Image 1.5Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
ProviderOpenAIStability AI
ReleasedDecember 2025October 22, 2024
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, local
LifecycleMarked as deprecated by OpenAI Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published8.1 billion
Maximum output1,536 × 1,024 pixels1 Megapixel
Arena configurationHighNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$133 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$133 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

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.

8 shared result series
GPT Image 1.5Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,215.437 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large963.912 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,223.911 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large997.688 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,243.08 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large945.603 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,240.908 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large937.14 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,238.658 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large938.302 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,248.785 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large928.086 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,261.416 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large941.134 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 1.51,254.593 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large921.402 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 1.5 and Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
BenchmarkGPT Image 1.5Stable Diffusion 3.5 LargeSource
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,215.437 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±6.83, 14,763 ratings
963.912 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±15.9, 1,629 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,223.911 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±6.08, 19,937 ratings
997.688 arena points
Rank 70, 95% confidence interval: ±9.46, 5,340 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,243.08 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.87, 55,661 ratings
945.603 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±6.34, 12,274 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,240.908 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.72, 55,926 ratings
937.14 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±11.06, 3,051 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,238.658 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±3.36, 142,427 ratings
938.302 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±4.5, 23,396 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,248.785 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±4.83, 57,631 ratings
928.086 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±7.07, 9,405 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,261.416 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±5.95, 28,153 ratings
941.134 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±8.89, 5,704 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,254.593 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.98, 51,503 ratings
921.402 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±10.85, 3,222 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

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

GPT Image 1.5, Character and detail
GPT Image 1.5
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Character and detail
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=7087247023770270000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: e748006fe56e442ad347e3f994f18b86ee1739f20dcee063aa7a03ee710c5d54

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 1.5, Infographic
GPT Image 1.5
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Infographic
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=12166653711354006000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: 4eb0fd741ef42e6d3fee4b1280cdfb098a0a04009b139051963895892e349f1e

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 1.5, Product photography
GPT Image 1.5
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Product photography
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=13346308312015933000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: ea9a7401dee8859ec2cb96af9f7ca29a177ef2202f52f629d8ce9f5839bd4061

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 1.5, Typography and layout
GPT Image 1.5
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Typography and layout
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=16632333557910893000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: e2994b1883a245b1c8c447957d121ea89d93aafff149029aa4e8507dbb769f9a

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

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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