GPT-5.2 vs GPT-5.3 vs GPT-5.4: lifecycle, ChatGPT retirements, API status, and what replaced them
Updated: Sep 17
GPT-5.2, GPT-5.3, and GPT-5.4 now form a lifecycle sequence rather than a current-model comparison. Their ChatGPT, API, and Codex statuses diverged as OpenAI moved through GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.6.
A useful comparison in September 2026 therefore asks what each generation introduced, what was retired, what is deprecated, and which model surface still exposes it.
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GPT-5.2 WAS RETIRED FROM CHATGPT ON JUNE 12
GPT-5.2 Instant, Thinking, and Pro left ChatGPT on June 12, 2026. Existing GPT-5.2 conversations moved to the corresponding GPT-5.5 model.
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Generation | ChatGPT lifecycle | API / Codex status | Successor path |
|---|---|---|---|
GPT-5.2 | Retired June 12, 2026 | Base API still available; Chat model deprecated | GPT-5.5 then GPT-5.6 |
GPT-5.3 | Instant replaced by GPT-5.5; transition window announced | Chat API snapshot deprecated; GPT-5.3-Codex current | GPT-5.5 / GPT-5.6; Codex branch continues |
GPT-5.4 | No longer current Chat generation | Base API available; removed from ChatGPT-auth Codex Aug 31 | GPT-5.6 Terra in Codex; newer Chat models |
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GPT-5.2 STILL EXISTS IN THE API CATALOG
The base gpt-5.2 model remains documented as a previous flagship with 400K context and 128K maximum output, while gpt-5.2-chat-latest is explicitly deprecated. GPT-5.2 Pro also remains documented for API use.
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GPT-5.3 SPLIT BETWEEN INSTANT AND CODEX
GPT-5.3 Instant became ChatGPT's everyday model before GPT-5.5 replaced it. The Chat API snapshot is now deprecated, while GPT-5.3-Codex remains a current coding model with 400K context and 128K maximum output.
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GPT-5.4 EXPANDED CONTEXT AND PROFESSIONAL WORK
GPT-5.4 moved to a 1.05M context window and 128K maximum output in the API, with broader professional-tooling and computer-use support. Its current API price is $2.50 input, $0.25 cached input, and $15 output per million tokens.
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CODEX MOVED OFF GPT-5.4 FOR CHATGPT-SIGNED-IN USERS
From August 31, 2026, GPT-5.4 and GPT-5.4 mini stopped being available in Codex when users sign in with a ChatGPT account. OpenAI directs those users toward GPT-5.6 Terra and Luna respectively. API-key use is handled separately.
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THE SEQUENCE CONTINUED THROUGH GPT-5.5 AND GPT-5.6
GPT-5.5 replaced GPT-5.3 Instant as the ChatGPT default and received the GPT-5.2 conversation migrations. GPT-5.6 then became the newer ChatGPT generation, with Luna for Free and Go and Sol for eligible paid plans.
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DS LIFECYCLE MAP
ChatGPT retirement answers whether a model is offered in the consumer product; API deprecation answers whether developers should keep building on a specific endpoint; Codex availability answers a third, separate product question. Each generation can have three different answers.
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