GPT-4.1 Nano 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 Nano if you need
- ✓Higher intelligence index and faster output speed for demanding tasks
- ✓Strong coding specialization with seamless text and image integration
- ✓Very large 400k context window without needing maximum scale
Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need
- ✓Much lower output price at $0.4 per 1M tokens for cost-sensitive use
- ✓Extremely large context window exceeding 1M tokens for massive inputs
- ✓Native support for images, text, and files in OpenAI multimodal setup
Verdict
GPT-5.2-Codex leads in intelligence (40.1 vs 7.3) and output speed (145.81 vs 128.53 t/s) with strong coding focus and seamless text-image handling, while GPT-4.1 Nano dominates on price ($0.4 vs $14 per 1M tokens) and context length (1M+ vs 400k tokens) plus broader native file support. Codex suits specialized high-performance multimodal coding tasks; Nano prioritizes efficiency and scale for massive inputs.
GPT-4.1 Nano vs GPT-5.2-Codex: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Nano | GPT-5.2-Codex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 7.3 | 40.1 | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output speed | 129 t/s | 146 t/s | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output price | $0.40/1M | $14.00/1M | GPT-4.1 Nano |
| Context | 1048K | 400K | GPT-4.1 Nano |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex scores 40.1 on intelligence index compared to GPT-4.1 Nano's 7.3. This gap indicates stronger performance on complex reasoning and coding despite Nano's efficiency focus.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex delivers 145.81 tokens per second versus Nano's 128.53. The higher speed pairs with its intelligence advantage for time-sensitive multimodal workflows.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-4.1 NanoGPT-4.1 Nano costs $0.4 per million tokens against Codex at $14. This makes Nano far more economical for high-volume or budget-constrained applications.
Context & Modalities
Winner: GPT-4.1 NanoGPT-4.1 Nano offers over 1M tokens context and native file support alongside images and text. Codex limits to 400k context and text-image only without audio or video.
GPT-4.1 Nano
Pros
- +Extremely large context window
- +Native support for images, text, and files
- +OpenAI multimodal architecture
Cons
- –Nano size may reduce depth on complex tasks
- –Performance trade-offs for efficiency
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 Nano vs GPT-5.2-Codex
Select GPT-5.2-Codex when intelligence, coding strength, and speed matter most. Choose GPT-4.1 Nano for lowest cost, largest context, and broadest file-inclusive multimodal handling at scale.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.2-Codex is stronger on intelligence and speed while GPT-4.1 Nano wins on price and context size; choice depends on whether performance or efficiency is prioritized.