GoKawiilOpenAI releases GPT-6.1 Sol, a cheaper model nearing Astra's performance
OpenAI has launched GPT-6.1 Sol as part of its DevDay announcements, positioning it as a lower-cost alternative to its flagship GPT-6.1 Astra model. The company says Sol performs comparably to Astra on coding, professional Q&A, document handling, computer use and research tasks, at roughly one-fifth the cost. OpenAI also reports that Sol's rate of factual errors in lower-effort responses dropped from 11.4% with GPT-6 Sol to 7.7% with the new version.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
By narrowing the performance gap with its top-tier model while cutting costs sharply, OpenAI could make advanced AI capabilities more accessible to developers and businesses that found Astra too expensive. The timing, alongside reports that GPT-6.1 Astra itself is being pulled back for behavioral issues, suggests OpenAI may be leaning on Sol to keep momentum in its 6.1 lineup while it addresses problems elsewhere. Independent verification of these benchmark claims has not yet been reported.
- GPT-6.1 Sol matches or approaches GPT-6.1 Astra's performance at about one-fifth the cost.
- Factual error rates in lower-effort responses fell from 11.4% to 7.7% compared to GPT-6 Sol.
- The launch comes as GPT-6.1 Astra is reportedly being pulled back over unspecified behavioral issues.
Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-09-29
Published there as: “OpenAI launches GPT-6.1 Sol with Astra-like performance on a budget”
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