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OpenAI accidentally exposes three 'Aurora' image model references in API

·2026.10.19 03:07

Key point

Three new 'Aurora' model references briefly appeared in OpenAI's API and are being tested on Arena, with observers speculating they may be GPT-Image-3, though this remains a guess.

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Details

  • Three new model references, aurora-red-alpha, aurora-green-alpha, and aurora-blue-alpha, briefly appeared in OpenAI's API before being removed in what appears to be an accidental rollout.
  • The models are currently being tested on Arena, with aurora-red-alpha running faster but producing lower quality images, while aurora-green-alpha is slower but looks better; aurora-blue-alpha has not been tested yet.
  • Observers, including Lumina Bench, speculate the models are GPT-Image-3, following OpenAI's previous release of ChatGPT Images 2.5 with GPT-Image-2.5 Flare and GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst, but this remains a guess.
  • No documentation or pricing exists for the Aurora models, and three separate entries named Aspen, Cypress, and Maple appeared on Design Arena shortly after the API references.

Context

  • OpenAI recently launched GPT-6 with Intelligent UI in ChatGPT and Dots agents powered by GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Sol.
  • Anthropic is preparing to launch Claude Fable 5.5, which partners reportedly already have access to.
openaiimage-generationarenagpt-image-3api-leakaurora-models
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