GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.2-Codex
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 GPT-4.1 Mini if you need
- ✓million-token context for large document and file workflows
- ✓lowest output cost at $1.6 per million tokens
- ✓broad general-purpose multimodal tasks where depth can be traded for efficiency
- ✓processing images, text, and files together without exceeding budget
Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need
- ✓highest intelligence index (49) and fastest output (144.39 t/s)
- ✓strong coding specialization with seamless text-image integration
- ✓workloads that benefit from higher capability even at $14 per million tokens
- ✓large but not million-token inputs where speed matters most
Verdict
GPT-5.2-Codex leads decisively on intelligence (49 vs 22.9) and output speed (144.39 t/s vs 98.09 t/s) while adding coding specialization, whereas GPT-4.1 Mini dominates on context length (1,047,576 vs 400,000 tokens) and price ($1.6 vs $14 per million tokens). Both are proprietary OpenAI multimodal models limited to text and images with no audio or video support. The choice hinges on whether the workload prioritizes raw capability and speed or extreme context at lower cost.
GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.2-Codex: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Mini | GPT-5.2-Codex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 22.9 | 49 | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output speed | 98 t/s | 144 t/s | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output price | $1.60/1M | $14.00/1M | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Context | 1048K | 400K | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex scores 49 on the intelligence index compared with 22.9 for GPT-4.1 Mini. This gap indicates substantially stronger reasoning and task performance for the Codex variant. Both models share the same provider and proprietary status.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex delivers 144.39 tokens per second versus 98.09 for GPT-4.1 Mini. The higher speed favors time-sensitive applications. Neither model supports audio or video modalities.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini costs $1.6 per million output tokens while GPT-5.2-Codex costs $14. The eight-fold price difference makes the Mini model far more economical for high-volume use. Both are billed per million tokens with no other pricing details given.
Context Length
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini supports 1,047,576 tokens versus 400,000 for GPT-5.2-Codex. This gives the Mini model a clear advantage for extended document and file workflows. Large contexts in either model can increase latency or resource demands.
GPT-4.1 Mini
Pros
- +Handles over one million tokens of context
- +Processes images, text, and files together
- +Suitable for large document workflows
- +Broad general-purpose capabilities from OpenAI lineage
Cons
- –Mini variant may trade depth for efficiency
- –No audio or video modality support
- –Large context can increase response latency
GPT-5.2-Codex
Pros
- +Very large context window for extended inputs
- +Strong coding specialization
- +Seamless integration of text and image data
Cons
- –Restricted to text and image modalities
- –High resource demands at maximum context length
- –No native support for audio or video
Summary: GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.2-Codex
Select GPT-4.1 Mini when million-token context and low cost are primary requirements. Choose GPT-5.2-Codex when maximum intelligence, speed, and coding strength outweigh the higher price and smaller context. The two models serve different segments of multimodal workloads despite sharing the same provider.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.2-Codex is stronger on intelligence and speed while GPT-4.1 Mini wins on context length and price; neither is universally better.