Claude Opus 4.6 vs Claude Sonnet 4
A side-by-side comparison of two multimodal models — real specs, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, and a clear verdict on which to choose. Kept current by our agents.
Quick verdict: which should you choose?
Choose Claude Opus 4.6 if you need
- ✓Need proven intelligence index of 52.9 and 40.23 t/s output speed
- ✓Require high-quality structured outputs and nuanced reasoning performance
- ✓Handle large inputs effectively with documented strengths
- ✓Prioritize careful safety-aligned responses on complex queries
Choose Claude Sonnet 4 if you need
- ✓Want lower output price at $15 per million tokens versus $25
- ✓Focus on strong reasoning and coherence over long inputs
- ✓Value effective multimodal integration in detailed responses
- ✓Accept unspecified intelligence and speed metrics for cost savings
Verdict
Claude Opus 4.6 leads on documented intelligence (52.9) and output speed (40.23 t/s) with strengths in nuanced reasoning and structured outputs, while Claude Sonnet 4 undercuts it on price ($15 vs $25 per million tokens). Both share identical 1M-token context and Anthropic safety alignment, but Sonnet 4's intelligence and speed remain unspecified. Opus 4.6 suits tasks needing proven high-end metrics; Sonnet 4 appeals where cost is primary.
Claude Opus 4.6 vs Claude Sonnet 4: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.6 | Claude Sonnet 4 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 52.9 | — | Tie |
| Output speed | 40 t/s | — | Tie |
| Output price | $25.00/1M | $15.00/1M | Claude Sonnet 4 |
| Context | 1000K | 1000K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | Anthropic | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Performance
Winner: Claude Opus 4.6Opus 4.6 provides a measured intelligence index of 52.9 and lists explicit strengths in nuanced reasoning and high-quality structured outputs. Sonnet 4 lists strong reasoning over long inputs but supplies no intelligence index. Both emphasize careful safety alignment from the same provider.
Pricing
Winner: Claude Sonnet 4Sonnet 4 costs $15 per million output tokens. Opus 4.6 costs $25 per million output tokens. All other specs such as context size remain identical.
Speed/Context
Winner: TieBoth models share a 1,000,000-token context window. Opus 4.6 alone reports output speed of 40.23 tokens per second; Sonnet 4 speed is unspecified. Limitations note slower responses on complex queries only for Opus 4.6.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: TieSonnet 4 highlights effective multimodal integration. Opus 4.6 notes effective handling of large inputs without specifying audio or video. Both lack native real-time web access or audio/video support in listed limitations.
Claude Opus 4.6
Pros
- +Strong performance on nuanced reasoning tasks
- +Careful and safety-aligned responses
- +Effective handling of large inputs
- +High-quality structured outputs
Cons
- –Slower response times on complex queries
- –More conservative on borderline topics
- –No native real-time web access
Claude Sonnet 4
Pros
- +Strong reasoning and coherence over long inputs
- +Careful safety alignment
- +High-quality, detailed responses
- +Effective multimodal integration
Cons
- –Conservative refusals on sensitive topics
- –No native audio or video support
- –May prioritize caution over maximum helpfulness
Summary: Claude Opus 4.6 vs Claude Sonnet 4
Select Claude Opus 4.6 when documented intelligence, speed, and structured output quality matter most. Choose Claude Sonnet 4 when minimizing token cost is the priority and unspecified metrics are acceptable. Both deliver Anthropic's safety focus and identical context length.
Frequently asked questions
Opus 4.6 shows a concrete intelligence index of 52.9 and speed of 40.23 t/s with listed reasoning strengths; Sonnet 4 is cheaper but lacks those metrics, so superiority depends on whether measured performance or price is valued more.