GPT-5.1-Codex-Max vs GPT-5.2
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-5.1-Codex-Max if you need
- ✓Unified processing of files, images, and text for scalable document-level analysis
- ✓Published intelligence_index of 46.6 for measurable performance tracking
- ✓Extensive context window with support for very large multimodal inputs
Choose GPT-5.2 if you need
- ✓Lower output price at $10 per million tokens versus $14
- ✓Strong coding focus combined with text and image inputs for technical workflows
- ✓Handles very large 400k contexts in complex coding scenarios
Verdict
GPT-5.2 leads in documented intelligence (46.6 index) and broader multimodal support including files alongside images and text, while GPT-5.1-Codex-Max is cheaper at $10 per million tokens and emphasizes coding-focused workflows. Both share identical 400k context and proprietary OpenAI origins with similar limitations on media types and resource demands. GPT-5.2 suits general large-scale document analysis; GPT-5.1-Codex-Max fits technical coding tasks where cost matters more than the published intelligence score.
GPT-5.1-Codex-Max vs GPT-5.2: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5.1-Codex-Max | GPT-5.2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | — | 46.6 | Tie |
| Output speed | — | — | Tie |
| Output price | $10.00/1M | $14.00/1M | GPT-5.1-Codex-Max |
| Context | 400K | 400K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Pricing
Winner: GPT-5.1-Codex-MaxGPT-5.1-Codex-Max costs $10 per million tokens while GPT-5.2 costs $14 per million tokens. Both are proprietary OpenAI models with identical context sizes, so the lower price gives GPT-5.1-Codex-Max a clear cost advantage for equivalent context usage.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: GPT-5.2GPT-5.2 explicitly supports files, images, and text with unified multimodal processing and scalable document analysis. GPT-5.1-Codex-Max is limited to text and image inputs without mention of file support, making GPT-5.2 broader for mixed media tasks.
Intelligence & Focus
Winner: GPT-5.2GPT-5.2 provides a published intelligence_index of 46.6; GPT-5.1-Codex-Max has no index listed. GPT-5.1-Codex-Max instead highlights a strong coding focus and suitability for complex technical workflows, creating a trade-off between measured intelligence and domain specialization.
Context Handling
Winner: TieBoth models list exactly 400000 context tokens and note high resource demands at maximum context. GPT-5.2 adds a limitation around risk of diluted focus in very long inputs while GPT-5.1-Codex-Max stresses handling very large contexts for coding tasks.
GPT-5.1-Codex-Max
Pros
- +Handles very large contexts
- +Strong coding focus
- +Combines text and image inputs
- +Suitable for complex technical workflows
Cons
- –Limited to text and image modalities
- –High resource demands for large contexts
- –No support for other media types
GPT-5.2
Pros
- +Extensive context window
- +Support for files, images, and text
- +Unified multimodal processing
- +Scalable document-level analysis
Cons
- –High resource use with maximum context
- –No native audio or video modalities
- –Risk of diluted focus in very long inputs
Summary: GPT-5.1-Codex-Max vs GPT-5.2
Choose GPT-5.2 when published intelligence scores and file-inclusive multimodal processing are priorities. Select GPT-5.1-Codex-Max for lower cost and coding-centric text-plus-image work. Both remain comparable on context size and lack of audio or video support.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.2 is better for general multimodal document tasks due to its 46.6 intelligence index and file support, while GPT-5.1-Codex-Max is better for cost-sensitive coding workflows.