GPT-5.4 vs GPT-5.4 Mini
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-5.4 if you need
- ✓highest intelligence (51.4 index) for complex reasoning
- ✓largest context window (1.05M tokens) for extremely large inputs
- ✓strongest performance on document-level multimodal tasks
- ✓seamless text-image-file integration at full scale
Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need
- ✓lowest cost ($4.5 per million tokens) for high-volume use
- ✓fastest output speed (177.31 t/s) for quicker responses
- ✓very large 400k context still suitable for most document tasks
- ✓flexible multimodal workflows at reduced price
Verdict
GPT-5.4 leads on raw intelligence (51.4 vs 40) and maximum context (1.05M tokens), making it stronger for complex document-level multimodal work. GPT-5.4 Mini counters with higher output speed (177.31 vs 156.68 t/s) and much lower price ($4.5 vs $15 per million tokens) while retaining native file-image-text support. The choice hinges on whether depth and scale outweigh cost and velocity.
GPT-5.4 vs GPT-5.4 Mini: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5.4 | GPT-5.4 Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 51.4 | 40 | GPT-5.4 |
| Output speed | 157 t/s | 177 t/s | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Output price | $15.00/1M | $4.50/1M | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Context | 1050K | 400K | GPT-5.4 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.4GPT-5.4 scores 51.4 on the intelligence index compared with 40 for GPT-5.4 Mini. This gap favors the full model on tasks requiring deeper reasoning. The Mini's reduced depth is explicitly noted as a limitation for complex problems.
Speed & Cost
Winner: GPT-5.4 MiniGPT-5.4 Mini delivers higher output speed (177.31 t/s vs 156.68 t/s) and is priced at $4.5 per million tokens versus $15. These advantages make it more economical for latency-sensitive or high-volume workloads. Both models share the same provider and modality support.
Context Window
Winner: GPT-5.4GPT-5.4 offers a 1.05M token context versus 400k for the Mini. This enables handling of larger-scale inputs where the full model excels. Both note that very long contexts can increase latency.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: TieBoth models provide native support for text, images, and files with flexible multimodal workflows and strength on document-heavy tasks. Neither offers native audio or video. Performance in both cases can depend on input quality and prompting.
GPT-5.4
Pros
- +Handles extremely large contexts
- +Seamless text-image-file integration
- +Strong at document-level tasks
Cons
- –No native audio or video support
- –Large context can increase latency
- –May need careful prompting for complex tasks
GPT-5.4 Mini
Pros
- +Very large context window
- +Native support for files, images, and text
- +Flexible multimodal workflows
Cons
- –Mini size may reduce depth on complex reasoning
- –Performance depends on input quality across modalities
- –Long contexts can increase latency
Summary: GPT-5.4 vs GPT-5.4 Mini
Select GPT-5.4 when maximum intelligence and the largest context are required. Choose GPT-5.4 Mini when speed and cost efficiency matter more than peak capability. Both remain strong proprietary multimodal options from OpenAI.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.4 is stronger on intelligence and context size; GPT-5.4 Mini is better on speed and price. Neither is universally superior.