OpenAI o4-mini is a compact multimodal model that handles text + images, runs 200 k-token contexts, and matches GPT-4–level accuracy on math and coding while costing far less — $1.1 per M input token. It’s tuned for disciplined reasoning—refusing unsafe requests, following system instructions, and using built-in tools (web, Python, image crop) when they sharpen the answer.
For developers, o4-mini means one cheaper endpoint that can chat, write code, analyze images, and trigger tool calls without stitching services together. You get fast first-token latency, high output speed, and pricing that lets you ship larger contexts, richer agents, and production apps on a lean budget.