Claude Opus 4.8 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6
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.
Claude Opus 4.8 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.8 | Claude Sonnet 4.6 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 61.4 | 42.6 | Claude Opus 4.8 |
| Output speed | 62 t/s | 44 t/s | Claude Opus 4.8 |
| Output price | $25.00/1M | $15.00/1M | Claude Sonnet 4.6 |
| Context | 1000K | 1000K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | Anthropic | Tie |
Claude Opus 4.8
Pros
- +Handles extremely long inputs effectively
- +Strong multimodal integration of text, images, and files
- +Careful and nuanced reasoning
- +Robust safety alignment
Cons
- –Higher latency on large contexts
- –Conservative response style due to safety tuning
- –May require explicit guidance for creative tasks
Claude Sonnet 4.6
Pros
- +Strong logical coherence
- +Careful safety alignment
- +Effective handling of large contexts
- +High-quality multimodal integration
Cons
- –Conservative refusal patterns on edge cases
- –Slower response times on complex inputs
- –Knowledge limited to training cutoff
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your needs. Claude Opus 4.8 and Claude Sonnet 4.6 are both multimodal models; the comparison table above shows where each one leads on the metrics that matter. See the verdict for a recommendation.