GPT-4o Audio vs GPT-5.2 Codex
GPT-4o Audio (2024) and GPT-5.2 Codex (2025) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. GPT-4o Audio ships a 128k-token context window, while GPT-5.2 Codex ships a not-yet-sourced context window. On pricing, GPT-5.2 Codex costs $1.75/1M input tokens versus $2.50/1M for the alternative. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: GPT-4o Audio is standalone API model, while GPT-5.2 Codex is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | GPT-4o Audio | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Standalone API model | Coding-specialized model |
| Best for | general production evaluation | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops |
| Decision fit | Long context | Coding, Agents, and Vision |
| Context window | 128k | — |
| Cheapest output | $10/1M tokens | $14/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 1 tracked | 1 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- GPT-4o Audio has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- GPT-4o Audio has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $10/1M tokens.
- Local decision data tags GPT-4o Audio for Long context.
- GPT-5.2 Codex uniquely exposes Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GPT-5.2 Codex for Coding, Agents, and Vision.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
GPT-4o Audio
$4,500
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
GPT-5.2 Codex
$4,900
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Vercel AI Gateway
Estimated monthly gap: $400. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for GPT-4o Audio and GPT-5.2 Codex; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- GPT-5.2 Codex is $4/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- GPT-5.2 Codex adds Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-4o Audio; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- GPT-4o Audio is $4/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024-10-01 | 2025-12-18 |
| Context window | 128k | — |
| Parameters | — | — |
| Architecture | decoder only | decoder only |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Openness | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Commercial use | Commercial use with conditions | Commercial use with conditions |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2023-10 | 2025-08 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | GPT-4o Audio | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $2.50/1M tokens | $1.75/1M tokens |
| Output price | $10/1M tokens | $14/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | GPT-4o Audio | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Reasoning | No | Yes |
| Function calling | No | Yes |
| Tool use | No | Yes |
| Structured outputs | No | No |
| Code execution | No | Yes |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on vision: GPT-5.2 Codex, multimodal input: GPT-5.2 Codex, reasoning mode: GPT-5.2 Codex, function calling: GPT-5.2 Codex, tool use: GPT-5.2 Codex, and code execution: GPT-5.2 Codex. Both models share the core language-model surface, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
For cost, GPT-4o Audio lists $2.50/1M input and $10/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider, while GPT-5.2 Codex lists $1.75/1M input and $14/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. A 70/30 input-output blend puts GPT-4o Audio lower by about $0.67 per million blended tokens. Availability is 1 providers versus 1, so concentration risk also matters.
Choose GPT-4o Audio when provider fit are central to the workload. Choose GPT-5.2 Codex when coding workflow support and lower input-token cost are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, GPT-4o Audio or GPT-5.2 Codex?
GPT-4o Audio is cheaper on tracked token pricing. GPT-4o Audio costs $2.50/1M input and $10/1M output tokens. GPT-5.2 Codex costs $1.75/1M input and $14/1M output tokens. Provider discounts or batch pricing can still change the final bill.
Is GPT-4o Audio or GPT-5.2 Codex open source?
GPT-4o Audio is listed under Proprietary. GPT-5.2 Codex is listed under Proprietary. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for vision, GPT-4o Audio or GPT-5.2 Codex?
GPT-5.2 Codex has the clearer documented vision signal in this comparison. If vision is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.
Which is better for multimodal input, GPT-4o Audio or GPT-5.2 Codex?
GPT-5.2 Codex has the clearer documented multimodal input signal in this comparison. If multimodal input is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for reasoning mode, GPT-4o Audio or GPT-5.2 Codex?
GPT-5.2 Codex has the clearer documented reasoning mode signal in this comparison. If reasoning mode is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run GPT-4o Audio and GPT-5.2 Codex?
GPT-4o Audio is available on OpenRouter. GPT-5.2 Codex is available on Vercel AI Gateway. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-22. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.