GPT-5.2-Codex vs GPT-5.4 Nano
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-5.2-Codex if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Nano if you need maximum output speed of 156.98 t/s for high-volume tasks.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Nano if you need the lowest price at $1.25 per million tokens.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Nano if you need file inputs alongside images and text.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Nano if you need a compact model for straightforward multimodal workloads.
Choose GPT-5.4 Nano if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need the highest intelligence_index of 40.1.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need strong coding specialization.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need seamless text and image integration at scale.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need maximum depth on complex reasoning despite higher cost.
Verdict
GPT-5.2-Codex leads with a higher intelligence_index of 40.1 and explicit coding specialization, while GPT-5.4 Nano delivers faster output at 156.98 t/s and dramatically lower cost of $1.25 per million tokens. Both share identical 400k context windows and text-plus-image multimodal support from OpenAI, with Nano additionally noting file inputs. The choice hinges on whether intelligence and coding depth outweigh speed and price advantages.
GPT-5.2-Codex vs GPT-5.4 Nano: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5.2-Codex | GPT-5.4 Nano | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 40.1 | 38.2 | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output speed | 141 t/s | 157 t/s | GPT-5.4 Nano |
| Output price | $14.00/1M | $1.25/1M | GPT-5.4 Nano |
| Context | 400K | 400K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex scores 40.1 on the intelligence_index compared to 38.2 for GPT-5.4 Nano. This edge aligns with its noted coding specialization and stronger performance on complex tasks. GPT-5.4 Nano's nano size is described as potentially limiting depth.
Speed and Pricing
Winner: GPT-5.4 NanoGPT-5.4 Nano outputs at 156.98 tokens per second versus 139.05 for GPT-5.2-Codex. It also costs $1.25 per million tokens against $14 for the Codex model. Both maintain the same 400k context length.
Modalities and Specialization
Winner: TieBoth models handle text and images with no audio or video support. GPT-5.4 Nano additionally lists file inputs while GPT-5.2-Codex emphasizes coding specialization and seamless text-image integration. Neither extends beyond these modalities.
Context Handling
Winner: TieBoth models offer identical 400000 token context windows. GPT-5.2-Codex notes high resource demands at maximum length while GPT-5.4 Nano highlights flexibility for long-context file and image tasks.
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
GPT-5.4 Nano
Pros
- +Very large 400k token context
- +Handles file, image, and text inputs
- +Multimodal flexibility
Cons
- –Nano size may limit depth on complex tasks
- –No audio or video modalities
Summary: GPT-5.2-Codex vs GPT-5.4 Nano
Select GPT-5.4 Nano when speed and low cost are priorities for file-inclusive multimodal work. Select GPT-5.2-Codex when higher intelligence and coding capabilities justify the premium price. Both remain proprietary OpenAI offerings with matching context sizes and modality limits.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.2-Codex is stronger on intelligence and coding while GPT-5.4 Nano wins on speed and price; neither is universally better.