Imagen 4 Fast vs GPT Image 1.5
Google's budget speed model vs OpenAI's leaderboard champion. 5 credits vs 15 credits.
Imagen 4 Fast from Google and GPT Image 1.5 from OpenAI represent two different approaches to AI image generation. Google's fast image model with high-quality generation at ultra-low cost. On the other side, openAI's #1 ranked image model with exceptional prompt adherence, photorealism, and text rendering.
At 5 credits, Imagen 4 Fast costs 10 credits less than GPT Image 1.5 (15 credits). The question is whether the extra cost of GPT Image 1.5 translates into meaningfully better results for your use case. For fast iteration, budget-friendly generation, quick high-quality drafts, Imagen 4 Fast is hard to beat at its price point. But if you need highest quality generation, text rendering, photorealism, GPT Image 1.5 may justify the premium.
Updated April 2026
GPT Image 1.5 costs 10 credits more per generation — that adds up fast. Start with Imagen 4 Fast for most work. It handles fast iteration, budget-friendly generation, quick high-quality drafts well. Save GPT Image 1.5 for when you specifically need highest quality generation and the quality difference matters.
Imagen 4 Fast vs GPT Image 1.5: How They Compare
 Imagen 4 Fast |  GPT Image 1.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | |
| Released | Mar 2026 | Jan 2026 |
| Cost | 5 | 15 |
| Speed | Fastest | Medium |
| Reference images | Up to 1 | |
| Editing |
Imagen 4 Fast vs GPT Image 1.5: Cost Comparison
Imagen 4 Fast is 67% cheaper than GPT Image 1.5. Here's how credits add up at scale.
| Volume | Imagen 4 Fast | GPT Image 1.5 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 images | 50 | 150 |
| 50 images | 250 | 750 |
| 100 images | 500 | 1,500 |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Imagen 4 Fast
- + More affordable (5 vs 15 credits)
- + Faster generation speed
- + Fast iteration
- + Ultra-low cost (5 credits)
- + Sub-second generation speed
- - No built-in editing
- - No reference image support
GPT Image 1.5
- + Highest quality generation
- + Supports 1 reference images
- + Built-in image editing
- + #1 on all major image leaderboards
- + Transparent background support
- - More expensive (15 vs 5 credits)
Imagen 4 Fast vs GPT Image 1.5: Which to Pick?
On a tight budget
At 5 credits per image, Imagen 4 Fast gives you more generations for your plan. Good enough quality for most everyday use.
Maximum quality matters
GPT Image 1.5 is worth the extra credits when the output needs to be perfect — portfolio pieces, client work, or final deliverables.
Character or style consistency
GPT Image 1.5 supports 1 reference images to keep subjects, styles, and characters consistent across generations.
Rapid iteration and testing
Imagen 4 Fast's fastest generation means you can test more prompts in less time. Great for exploration.
Editing existing images
GPT Image 1.5's built-in editing lets you refine and modify images with prompt-driven changes instead of starting from scratch.
Imagen 4 Fast vs GPT Image 1.5: FAQ
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