GPT 5.6 Arrives With 72 Configurations, Complicating Default Selection

OpenAI released GPT 5.6 with 72 distinct configurations resulting from four dimensions: Work versus Codex, three model sizes (Sol, Terra, Luna), six effort levels (Light, Medium, High, Extra High, Max, Ultra), and two speeds (Standard, Fast). This variety reflects the model's scalability across both training and inference, offering different balances between capability, cost, and speed. The challenge lies in selecting which configuration should serve as the ideal default. Performance-versus-cost analysis demonstrates that more powerful configurations are not necessarily more economical. Luna at Extra High effort can outperform Sol at Medium effort at lower cost, highlighting the need for careful trade-off analysis.