Both Seedream 4.0 and GPT Image 2 are powerful AI image models, but they excel at different tasks. Choosing the right model for your workflow can significantly improve your results. This guide breaks down exactly when to use each model.
Quick decision guide
- Use Seedream 4.0 when: generating images from text prompts, commercial photography, editorial portraits, product shots from scratch
- Use GPT Image 2 when: editing an uploaded photo, background removal, ID photo conversion, face-aware retouching
Generation quality comparison
For pure text-to-image generation, Seedream 4.0 consistently produces sharper, more photorealistic results with better material rendering and lighting control. GPT Image 2 generates good images but tends toward slightly softer outputs in pure generation mode.
Seedream 4.0 wins: "editorial product photo, premium ceramic vase, warm side lighting, marble surface, shallow depth of field"
GPT Image 2 wins: "Edit this uploaded portrait — remove background, replace with white studio background, preserve all hair detail"
Editing and photo manipulation
GPT Image 2 has a significant advantage for uploaded photo editing. Its architecture handles inpainting, object removal, and local edits much more reliably than Seedream when working with an existing photo as the base.
Face and portrait work
Both models handle portraits well. Seedream 4.0 produces more stylistically consistent editorial portraits from prompts. GPT Image 2 is better when you need to preserve an actual person's likeness while editing their photo.
Speed and credit efficiency
Seedream 4.0 is generally faster for text-to-image generation. GPT Image 2 may take slightly longer on complex editing tasks involving uploaded images. The current model and quality cost is shown in the workbench before each generation.
Summary: choose based on your task
- Product photography from scratch → Seedream 4.0
- Editorial portraits from text → Seedream 4.0
- Background removal → GPT Image 2
- ID / passport photo → GPT Image 2
- Portrait retouching from uploaded photo → GPT Image 2
- Stylized character art → Nano Banana