ChatGPT Images 2.5 Is Here — Turn Your Phone Doodles Into AI-Generated Images with the New Sketch Feature
ChatGPT Images 2.5, released on September 8, 2026, introduces a Sketch feature that converts hand-drawn doodles on your phone into AI-generated images. Image generation is now 50% faster, with templates and prompt sharing also added. A major upgrade for anyone who wants to create visuals.
"I want to create images with AI, but I can't quite describe what I'm picturing in words." If that sounds familiar, ChatGPT's newly released Images 2.5 — launched on September 8, 2026 — offers a smart solution. Just draw a rough sketch on your phone and hand it to the AI. A polished, professional-quality image will be ready in seconds.
What Is It?
ChatGPT Images 2.5 is the latest version of OpenAI's image generation feature within ChatGPT.
While ChatGPT could already generate images from text prompts, Images 2.5 adds a Sketch feature — the ability to hand the AI a drawing or rough diagram you've made yourself and have it use that as the basis for a generated image. You don't need to be a good artist. A quick, rough doodle is all it takes.
Hand ChatGPT a simple hand-drawn sketch on your phone, and the AI turns it into a professional-quality image. Because you can now communicate your vision visually, it's far easier to use — even if you struggle to describe ideas in words.
What Has Changed?
Here's a summary of what's new and improved in Images 2.5.
Sketch Feature (The Headline Addition)
In the ChatGPT mobile app, tap the @ symbol in the text input area and select Sketch. Draw with your finger, then send — the AI generates an image based on your drawing.
To generate an image, you had to describe it in detail with text — something like "a photo-style image of a white dog running under a blue sky." If the AI didn't get it right, you'd have to try again and again.
Just sketch a rough outline of the dog on your phone and send it. Even if you're not good with words, you can communicate your vision directly through a drawing.
Template Feature
You can now save frequently used styles or compositions as templates, eliminating the need to re-enter the same settings every time.
Full-Screen Editing and Comments
Generated images can now be viewed and edited in full-screen mode. You can also leave comments directly on the image — for example, "fix just this part" — making revisions much smoother.
Prompt Sharing
You can now share the text instructions (prompts) that produced your favorite images with other users. It opens up new possibilities like "let me see what this prompt generates for me."
2x Faster Image Generation
Image generation latency has been cut by 50%, meaning images now appear twice as fast. If slow generation was a frustration before, this is a significant improvement.
The Sketch feature is available in the mobile app. Just tap the @ symbol in the text input area and select Sketch to get started. No complicated steps required.
How Can You Actually Use It?
Here are a few practical use cases for everyday users.
For Work Presentations Sketch out a concept diagram by hand, send it to ChatGPT, and get a polished image for your slides. It's perfect as a rough draft before handing off to a designer.
For Social Media and Blog Posts Create original, copyright-free images that match exactly what you have in mind — no more searching through stock photo sites.
Turn Your Child's Drawing Into Art Hand ChatGPT your child's drawing as a sketch and the AI will render it as a clean, detailed image — a beautiful keepsake.
Visualize Home Decor Ideas Sketch a rough floor plan or room layout and get an image that approximates your interior design vision before making any purchases.
Images generated by AI are artificial creations. Be careful not to confuse them with real products or people. Also, using someone else's copyrighted artwork as the basis for your sketch may raise copyright issues.
What Does It Cost?
- ✓Basic image generation (with usage limits)
- ✓Sketch feature (limited)
- ✓Template feature
- ✓Significantly more image generations
- ✓Full access to Sketch, Templates, and Prompt Sharing
- ✓Full-screen editing and comments
- ✓Faster generation (50% latency reduction)
- ✓'Flare' model: speed-optimized generation
- ✓'Sunburst' model: quality-optimized generation
- ✓Embed image generation into your own apps
The API offers two model options to suit different needs. Flare prioritizes speed, while Sunburst prioritizes output quality. These are designed for developers who want to integrate image generation into their own products or services.
Summary
The biggest shift in ChatGPT Images 2.5 is that you can now communicate with pictures instead of words. For anyone who struggled with text-based prompts, the Sketch feature is a genuine breakthrough. Add in 2x faster generation, templates, and prompt sharing, and this is a well-rounded upgrade.
Give it a try: open the ChatGPT mobile app, tap @ → Sketch, and draw whatever comes to mind. Your artistic skill doesn't matter. Just sketch out the rough idea, send it, and let the AI do the rest.
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