OpenAI API raises GPT-Realtime-2 text output 50%, adds translate
What happened
Between the May 4, 2026 and May 11, 2026 captures of OpenAI's pricing page, Pulse recorded 2 changes: GPT-realtime-1.5 upgraded to GPT-Realtime-2 with text output price increased from $16.00 to $24.00 per 1M tokens (50% increase). Audio and image token prices unchanged; Two new realtime API models added to OpenAI API: GPT-Realtime-Translate (live speech translation at $0.034/min) and GPT-Realtime-Whisper (streaming speech-to-text at $0.017/min). Pulse files it as a pricing change (price increase, new plan) with an upward direction. Pulse's latest capture (Oct 5, 2026) lists gpt-image-2.5-flare at $2 per 1M cached image input tokens + $30 per 1M image output tokens, gpt-6.1-sol at $0.2 per 1M cached input tokens (long context) + $2 per 1M input tokens (short context), gpt-6-luna at $0.25 per 1M cache write tokens (long context) + $0.2 per 1M input tokens (long context), gpt-5.6-sol at $30 per 1M output tokens (long context) + $8 per 1M input tokens (long context) and gpt-6-astra at $20 per 1M input tokens (long context) + $1 per 1M cached input tokens (short context).
It lands 14 days after OpenAI's previous change, "Openai API cuts image output pricing, launches GPT-image-2" (Apr 27, 2026). Before that Pulse recorded "Openai API slashes web search tool price 60% to $10 per 1k calls" (Apr 2, 2026), "Openai API triples GPT-5 mini pricing, launches budget nano tier" (Mar 24, 2026) and "Openai API launches GPT-5.4 at $2.50/M tokens, adds Containers tool" (Apr 6, 2026). OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.
In the same window X, Microsoft, Metabase, Google and Anthropic also changed their AI & Machine Learning pricing pages. Those moves are listed further down, and the Pulse Agent can compare them side by side.
- — · Price+50%$16.00$24.00
- gpt-realtime-translate, gpt-realtime-whisper · PlanAdded
BeforeNo Two new realtime API models
AfterTwo new realtime API models
| Plan | Field | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Price | $16.00 | $24.00 | +50% |
| gpt-realtime-translate, gpt-realtime-whisper | Plan | No Two new realtime API models | Two new realtime API models | Added |
Values as written on OpenAI's public pricing page in the two captures Pulse compared; where the page states no number, the cells give the wording before and after.
Evidence
The two captures Pulse comparedFull-page captures of OpenAI's pricing page (openai.com) from May 4, 2026 and May 11, 2026; the change is marked near the top of the page, where price reads $16.00 and then $24.00.
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The two full-page captures with this change marked up are free with an account.
OpenAI, the last 90 days
Full history- Oct 5, 2026improvedOpenai API halves GPT-6.1 Sol cached input price to $0.10 per 1M tokens
- Aug 31, 2026packagingOpenai API Business: new $100/mo Premium seat tier + 200-employee cap
- May 11, 2026increaseOpenAI API raises GPT-Realtime-2 text output 50%, adds translate · this change
- Apr 27, 2026decreaseOpenai API cuts image output pricing, launches GPT-image-2
- Apr 2, 2026decreaseOpenai API slashes web search tool price 60% to $10 per 1k calls
- Mar 24, 2026packagingOpenai API triples GPT-5 mini pricing, launches budget nano tier
- Apr 6, 2026packagingOpenai API launches GPT-5.4 at $2.50/M tokens, adds Containers tool
- Mar 18, 2026improvedOpenai API adds Sora-2-pro HD video tier at $0.70/second
- Mar 11, 2026packagingOpenai API launches GPT-5.4, adds 10% data residency surcharge
Across AI & Machine Learning in the same window
All AI & Machine Learning changes- XMay 5X debuts grok-4.3 at $1.25/$2.50 per 1M tokens, slashes grok-4.20 rates
- MicrosoftMay 5Microsoft Dynamics365 swaps Record updates for prebuilt Sales Close Agent
- MetabaseMay 5Metabase Enterprise now promises 1-day support via Slack, Teams, and email
- GoogleMay 4Google Workspace rolls out Workspace Studio AI flows across all plans
- AnthropicApr 21Anthropic API launches Managed Agents at $0.08 per session-hour of runtime
Questions about this change
Did OpenAI raise prices in May 2026?
Yes. Pulse captured OpenAI's pricing page on May 4, 2026 and again on May 11, 2026 and recorded 1 price increase: $16.00 → $24.00 (+50%).
What changed on OpenAI's pricing page between May 4, 2026 and May 11, 2026?
Price: $16.00 → $24.00 (+50%); gpt-realtime-translate, gpt-realtime-whisper plan: No Two new realtime API models → Two new realtime API models, added. Pulse compared the captures it took on May 4, 2026 and May 11, 2026; the before/after table above lists each item as written on the page.
How often does OpenAI change its pricing?
Pulse recorded 7 other pricing-page changes for OpenAI in the 90 days before this one; the previous change was "Openai API cuts image output pricing, launches GPT-image-2" on Apr 27, 2026; OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.