OpenAI launches GPT-6.1 Sol, says it nearly matches GPT-6 Astra and costs less
30 September 2026 · filed under 0399f6c76448
OpenAI has released GPT-6.1 Sol, a new model the company says approaches the performance of its flagship GPT-6 Astra while costing substantially less to run, according to TechCrunch.
Per the report, OpenAI describes GPT-6.1 Sol as delivering significant improvements over the prior GPT-6 Sol across complex professional tasks. Cited areas of gain include code writing and debugging, document understanding, and the execution of multistep business workflows.
TechCrunch frames the release as narrowing the gap between OpenAI’s mid-tier and top-tier offerings, with the company positioning Sol as a lower-cost option for organizations that do not require Astra’s full capability set but need reliable performance on demanding technical and administrative work.
The report does not specify exact pricing figures or benchmark scores beyond the general characterization of “near-Astra” performance at reduced cost. No release date details beyond the September 29 announcement were provided in the source material, nor were specifics on availability to different tiers of OpenAI’s customer base.
This bulletin is limited to what TechCrunch’s report states. Independent benchmark verification, pricing schedules, and comparative testing against GPT-6 Astra were not part of the cited coverage and are not addressed here.