OpenAI has recently introduced its new GPT o1 series, featuring two models: o1-preview and o1-mini. These advanced AI models come with enhanced reasoning capabilities, particularly in complex tasks related to mathematics, coding, and science. However, with increased capabilities comes a new pricing structure that potential users should be aware of.
O1-Preview Pricing:
The flagship model, o1-preview, comes with a significant price increase compared to its predecessor, GPT-4o:
- Input Tokens: $15 per 1 million tokens
- This is approximately three times the cost of GPT-4o for input tokens.
- Output Tokens: $60 per 1 million tokens
- This represents a four-fold increase compared to GPT-4o’s output token pricing.
O1-Mini Pricing:
Recognizing the need for a more cost-effective option, OpenAI has also introduced o1-mini:
- Input Tokens: $3 per 1 million tokens
- Output Tokens: $12 per 1 million tokens
O1-mini is designed to be 80% cheaper than o1-preview while still offering enhanced reasoning capabilities, particularly for coding, math, and science use cases.
Comparison with GPT-4o:
To put these prices in perspective, let’s compare them with GPT-4o’s pricing:
- GPT-4o Input Tokens: $5 per 1 million tokens
- GPT-4o Output Tokens: $2.50 per 1 million tokens
This means that for the same number of tokens, o1-preview is significantly more expensive than GPT-4o, while o1-mini offers a middle ground in terms of pricing.
Regional Price Comparison:
The price difference is notable when considering regional costs. For example, in India:
- GPT-4o costs approximately Rs 420 for 1 million input tokens
- O1-preview costs around Rs 1,260 for the same amount of input tokens
Eligibility and Access:
Currently, access to the o1 models is limited:
- Available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users
- Enterprise and educational users will gain access in the near future
- OpenAI plans to extend o1-mini access to all ChatGPT Free users, though no specific timeline has been announced
Usage Limits:
During the beta phase, there are weekly rate limits for using the o1 models:
- 30 messages for o1-preview
- 50 messages for o1-mini
Justification for Higher Pricing:
The increased pricing for o1 models reflects their advanced capabilities:
- Enhanced Reasoning: O1 models are designed to “think” more thoroughly before responding, mimicking human-like problem-solving processes.
- Improved Performance: In tests, o1-preview has shown significant improvements over GPT-4o, especially in solving challenging problems. For instance, it solved 83% of problems in a qualifying exam for the International Mathematics Olympiad, compared to only 13% for GPT-4o.
- Specialized Focus: The models are optimized for complex reasoning tasks in science, coding, and mathematics.
Limitations to Consider:
While the o1 models offer advanced capabilities, they do have some limitations:
- Lack of certain features available in GPT-4o, such as web browsing and file uploads
- Currently only accept text prompts
- OpenAI acknowledges that the model is still “flawed and limited,” with ongoing improvements expected
Conclusion:
The introduction of OpenAI’s o1 models represents a significant advancement in AI reasoning capabilities, but this comes at a higher price point compared to previous models. While o1-preview offers the most advanced features at a premium price, o1-mini provides a more affordable option for developers and users who need efficient reasoning capabilities for specific tasks. As these models continue to evolve, potential users should carefully consider their specific needs and budget constraints when choosing between the available options.