OpenAI launched GPT-5.2 on December 11, 2025, marking a major step forward in AI capabilities. This release comes just one month after GPT-5.1 and directly responds to intense competition from Google's Gemini 3. The new model targets professional users with improved reasoning, coding, and workflow automation.
The launch follows reports of an internal "code red" at OpenAI after Gemini 3 topped major performance benchmarks. CEO Sam Altman mobilized resources to accelerate development, though executives insist the model was planned for months. GPT-5.2 aims to reclaim OpenAI's position as the AI leader for business applications.
Here's what you need to know:
What Is GPT-5.2?
GPT-5.2 is OpenAI's newest large language model designed specifically for professional knowledge work. The model excels at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, analyzing images, and handling complex multi-step projects.
OpenAI offers GPT-5.2 in three versions:
- GPT-5.2 Instant: Optimized for speed and daily tasks like writing and translation
- GPT-5.2 Thinking: Built for complex work requiring deep reasoning, including coding and data analysis
- GPT-5.2 Pro: The most powerful version for maximum accuracy on difficult problems
The model features a 400,000-token context window, allowing it to process hundreds of pages in a single session. It can handle documents, code repositories, and long conversations while maintaining coherent understanding throughout.
Key Features and Improvements
Professional Task Performance
GPT-5.2 Thinking beats or ties top industry professionals on 70.9% of well-specified professional tasks according to OpenAI's GDPval benchmark. These tasks span 44 occupations across fields like law, finance, healthcare, and engineering.
The model creates work products—presentations, spreadsheets, diagrams, and reports—that match professional quality. It produces outputs at over 11 times the speed and less than 1% the cost of human experts, making it a powerful tool for businesses.
Enhanced Coding Capabilities
GPT-5.2 sets new records in software development. On SWE-bench Pro, which tests real-world programming tasks, the model scored 55.6%—up from 50.8% for GPT-5.1. On SWE-bench Verified, scores jumped from 76.3% to 80%.
Early testers report the model excels at:
- Debugging production code
- Implementing feature requests
- Refactoring large codebases
- Front-end development and 3D UI work
- Interactive coding and code reviews
Reasoning and Abstract Thinking
The model shows dramatic improvement in abstract reasoning. On ARC-AGI-2, GPT-5.2 Thinking hit 52.9%, compared to GPT-5.1's 17.6%. This benchmark tests the ability to discover patterns and solve novel problems.
Mathematical reasoning also improved significantly. GPT-5.2 achieved perfect scores on AIME 2025 math problems and increased FrontierMath performance from 31% to 40.3%.
Long Context Understanding
GPT-5.2 Thinking became the first model to reach nearly 100% accuracy on the 4-Needle test at 256,000 tokens. This means it can find and cite specific details buried in massive documents without losing track of information.
The extended context window enables new use cases like analyzing entire codebases, processing multi-document legal cases, and conducting research across hundreds of pages.
Tool Use and Automation
The model excels at using external tools and APIs. On Tau2-bench-Telecom, which simulates complex customer service scenarios, GPT-5.2 scored 98.7%—up from 95.6% for the previous version.
This improved tool-calling enables autonomous agents that can:
- Search databases and retrieve information
- Execute code and run simulations
- Generate visualizations and charts
- Coordinate multiple tools in sequence
- Handle multi-step workflows without human intervention
Image and UI Understanding
Visual comprehension received significant upgrades. Error rates for image analysis dropped by 50%. On CharXiv, which tests understanding of scientific diagrams, accuracy jumped from 80.3% to 88.7%.
ScreenSpot-Pro scores, measuring UI understanding, improved dramatically from 64.2% to 86.3%. This helps the model better interpret user interfaces, design mockups, and visual layouts.
Complete Benchmark Comparison
Here's how GPT-5.2 stacks up against competing models across major performance tests:
| Benchmark | GPT-5.2 Thinking | GPT-5.2 Pro | GPT-5.1 Thinking | Gemini 3 Pro | Claude Opus 4.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDPval (Professional Tasks) | 70.9% | — | 38.8% | 53.3% | 59.6% |
| SWE-bench Pro (Coding) | 55.6% | — | 50.8% | 43.1% | — |
| SWE-bench Verified | 80.0% | — | 76.3% | — | 80.9% |
| GPQA Diamond (Science) | 92.4% | 93.2% | 88.1% | 93.8% | 91.2% |
| FrontierMath | 40.3% | — | 31.0% | — | — |
| ARC-AGI-2 (Reasoning) | 52.9% | — | 17.6% | 31.1% | — |
| ARC-AGI-1 | — | 90.5% | — | — | — |
| AIME 2025 (Math) | 100% | — | 94.6% | 95% | — |
| CharXiv (Visual) | 88.7% | — | 80.3% | — | — |
| ScreenSpot-Pro (UI) | 86.3% | — | 64.2% | — | — |
| Tau2-bench-Telecom (Tools) | 98.7% | — | 95.6% | — | — |
Performance metrics based on OpenAI's official benchmarks and industry testing. Some competitor scores unavailable for newer tests.
Understanding the Numbers
GDPval measures real-world professional work across 44 occupations. GPT-5.2's 70.9% means it matches or beats human experts more than two-thirds of the time.
SWE-bench tests software engineering skills on real GitHub issues. Higher scores mean the model can fix more bugs and implement features correctly.
GPQA Diamond evaluates doctoral-level science knowledge. These questions require deep understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology.
ARC-AGI measures abstract reasoning—the ability to see patterns and solve new problems without prior examples.
Pricing and Availability
ChatGPT Subscription Plans
GPT-5.2 rolled out to paid ChatGPT users starting December 11, 2025. Subscription pricing remains unchanged:
| Plan | Price | GPT-5.2 Access |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Limited access to base GPT-5.2 |
| Plus | $20/month | Full Thinking variant, higher quotas |
| Pro | $200/month | Unlimited projects, all variants including Pro |
| Business | Starting at $25/user/month | Team features, admin controls |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Priority access, compliance features |
API Pricing
Developers can access GPT-5.2 through OpenAI's API with the following rates:
| Model | Input Tokens (per 1M) | Output Tokens (per 1M) | Cached Input Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.2 Thinking | $1.75 | $14 | 90% off |
| GPT-5.2 Pro | $21 | $168 | 90% off |
| GPT-5.1 | $1.25 | $10 | 90% off |
GPT-5.2 Thinking costs 40% more than GPT-5.1, reflecting the increased computational requirements for reasoning tasks. The Pro version carries premium pricing for maximum accuracy.
For comparison, these rates sit at the higher end of the industry but remain competitive with specialized reasoning models from other providers.
The "Code Red" Context
The GPT-5.2 launch follows a turbulent period for OpenAI. When Google's Gemini 3 topped performance benchmarks in November 2025, CEO Sam Altman issued an internal "code red" directive.
The initiative aimed to:
- Refocus resources on improving ChatGPT
- Delay non-essential projects like advertising features
- Accelerate model development timelines
- Address concerns about losing market share
OpenAI executives clarified the code red helped focus the company but wasn't the sole driver of the release timeline. They emphasized GPT-5.2 had been in development for months before Gemini 3's launch.
Altman told reporters he expects OpenAI to exit code red status by January 2026, suggesting the company believes GPT-5.2 successfully addresses competitive pressures.
Real-World Applications
Business and Finance
Investment banking analysts use GPT-5.2 for financial modeling. On internal benchmarks testing three-statement models and leveraged buyout analyses, the model's average score jumped from 59.1% to 68.4%.
The model generates spreadsheets with proper formatting, citations, and complex formulas. It handles multi-department workforce planning, budget projections, and financial forecasting.
Software Development
Development teams report significant productivity gains. GPT-5.2 can:
- Review entire pull requests and suggest improvements
- Find security vulnerabilities in code
- Generate complete applications from natural language descriptions
- Debug production issues across large codebases
- Create responsive web designs with proper spacing and typography
Companies like JetBrains, Augment Code, and Warp highlight the model's improvements in interactive coding environments.
Data Science and Analysis
GPT-5.2 excels at data-heavy tasks. Organizations like Databricks, Hex, and Triple Whale found exceptional performance in:
- Automated data cleaning and preparation
- Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Creating visualizations and dashboards
- Document analysis at scale
- Multi-step analytical workflows
Enterprise Knowledge Work
Major companies integrated GPT-5.2 into their workflows:
- Notion, Box, Shopify: Enhanced document management and collaboration
- Harvey: Legal research and case analysis
- Zoom: Meeting summaries and action item extraction
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: Integrated across productivity tools
The model's long-context understanding makes it valuable for synthesizing information across multiple documents, emails, and meetings.
Limitations and Considerations
No Image Generation Improvements
GPT-5.2 comes with no current image improvements over GPT-5.1 and DALL-E 3. Users seeking enhanced image generation capabilities will need to wait for future updates.
Error Rates Still Exist
While GPT-5.2 reduces errors by 30% compared to GPT-5.1, mistakes still occur. On anonymized ChatGPT requests, 6.2% of responses contained at least one error. OpenAI warns users should verify outputs for critical applications.
High API Costs
The 40% price increase for API access may impact cost-sensitive applications. Organizations need to evaluate whether improved quality justifies higher expenses compared to cheaper alternatives.
Training Data Cutoff
GPT-5.2's knowledge cutoff is August 31, 2025. It cannot access information about events after this date without using web search or other tools.
Safety and Reliability
OpenAI emphasizes improved safety across multiple dimensions:
- Reduced rates of self-harm and mental health concerns
- Better recognition of impossible tasks
- Lower deception rates (2.1% vs 4.8% for previous reasoning models)
- Improved handling of emotionally sensitive topics
The model more accurately communicates its limitations rather than confidently answering questions beyond its capabilities.
Competitive Landscape
vs. Google Gemini 3
GPT-5.2 reclaims leadership on most benchmarks after Gemini 3's November dominance. OpenAI edges ahead in professional knowledge work, abstract reasoning, and coding tasks.
Gemini 3 remains competitive in science knowledge (GPQA Diamond) and maintains strong integration across Google's ecosystem.
vs. Anthropic Claude Opus 4.5
Claude maintains a slight lead on SWE-bench Verified (80.9% vs 80.0%) and Terminal-bench command-line proficiency. Anthropic also claims superior prompt injection resistance.
GPT-5.2 outperforms Claude significantly on professional task benchmarks and abstract reasoning tests.
Market Implications
The rapid release cycle—three major models in four months—signals an intensifying AI arms race. Companies are prioritizing performance improvements over new features.
This competition benefits users through faster innovation but raises questions about sustainability and compute costs.
Future Developments
Adult Mode Coming Q1 2026
OpenAI plans to launch "Adult Mode" in the first quarter of 2026, offering less restrictive content filters for verified adult users. The company is refining age prediction systems before rollout.
Project Garlic
Industry reports suggest OpenAI works on a more fundamental architectural shift codenamed "Project Garlic," targeting a future flagship release with potential breakthrough capabilities.
Image Generation Updates
While GPT-5.2 lacks image improvements, executives promised "more to come" on visual generation capabilities in future releases.
Getting Started with GPT-5.2
For Individual Users
- Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) for full Thinking access
- Select GPT-5.2 from the model menu
- Try complex tasks like spreadsheet creation or code debugging
- Experiment with all three variants to find the best fit
For Developers
- Access the API at platform.openai.com
- Use model ID
gpt-5.2orgpt-5.2-pro - Start with smaller tests to evaluate performance
- Monitor token usage and costs carefully
- Consider batch processing for cost optimization
For Enterprises
- Contact OpenAI sales for Business or Enterprise plans
- Evaluate integration with existing tools and workflows
- Run pilot projects to measure productivity gains
- Establish governance policies for AI usage
- Train teams on effective prompting techniques
Best Practices for Using GPT-5.2
Choose the Right Variant
- Instant: Quick queries, writing, translation, simple tasks
- Thinking: Complex analysis, coding, multi-step reasoning
- Pro: Maximum accuracy for critical decisions
Optimize Prompts
- Be specific about desired output format
- Provide relevant context upfront
- Break complex tasks into steps
- Request reasoning explanations when needed
Verify Critical Outputs
Always review AI-generated content for:
- Factual accuracy
- Logical consistency
- Regulatory compliance
- Domain-specific requirements
Bottom Line
GPT-5.2 represents OpenAI's strongest response yet to mounting competition. The model delivers measurable improvements across professional tasks, coding, and reasoning while maintaining competitive pricing.
Key takeaways:
- 70.9% win rate against human experts on professional tasks
- Dramatic improvements in abstract reasoning and mathematics
- 80% accuracy on real-world software engineering tests
- Available now through ChatGPT and API
- 40% price premium reflects enhanced capabilities
For businesses seeking AI-powered productivity gains, GPT-5.2 offers compelling value. The model handles complex workflows end-to-end with less supervision than previous versions.
Individual users gain a more capable assistant for everyday professional tasks. Developers access state-of-the-art performance for building AI-powered applications.
The rapid pace of improvement suggests even more capable models will arrive soon. Organizations should evaluate GPT-5.2 now to stay competitive as AI transforms professional work.