STEALTHMARK · HEAD TO HEAD

All comparisons ↗

GPT-5.5 vs Step 5 Preview

Step 5 Preview leads GPT-5.5 by 2.5 points on StealthMark, 39.0 to 36.5. GPT-5.5 leads on 5 of 9 benchmarks, including both games, and Step 5 Preview on 4. Step 5 Preview scores higher on Newton's Mirror, with its largest category advantage in reflections.

See the difference ↘
All results ↗
All results ↗

Overall StealthMark

36.5/100Overall rank 38/53
39.0/100Overall rank 36/53

General Intelligence

36.6/100
37.1/100

Visual Intelligence

36.3/100
41.9/100

Reasoning efficiency

On every task, result quality and reasoning tokens are each compared with all measured models and weighed equally. Each dot is one model.

Single-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens on a single problem

Multi-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens across connected steps, as in agentic workflows

BENCHMARK BY BENCHMARK

Where each model leads

  • GPT-5.5
  • Step 5 Preview
  • Other models
  • Median

DATASHEET

Specs and pricing

Both take about 1.05M tokens of context.

  • GPT-5.5
  • Step 5 Preview
  • Other models
  • Median
PricePer 1M output tokens, input below
GPT-5.5: $30$5 inputStep 5 Preview: No list price
Context windowTokens per request, max output below
GPT-5.5: 1.05MTied128K max outputStep 5 Preview: 1MTied
Output speedTokens per second, our measurement
GPT-5.5: 193tokens/sStep 5 Preview: Not measured
SizeTotal and active parameters
GPT-5.5: Not disclosedStep 5 Preview: 600B27B active
Developer
OpenAIStepFun
Released
23 Apr 2026Not published
Origin
United StatesNot published
Input → output
Text, image → textText, image, video → text
Architecture
Not publishedSparse mixture-of-experts; 92 layers (88 MoE), 352 routed experts with 8 selected per token plus a shared expert; grouped-query attention with 512-token sliding windows and full attention every fourth layer; 3 multi-token-prediction layers; vision tower for image and video input

Full datasheets, every price and sourceGPT-5.5 ↗Step 5 Preview ↗

Anticipating threats and planning ahead. Collect coins while avoiding ghosts. Ghosts move before the player each turn, and collisions cost a life. 3 levels in sequence, up to 66 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

GPT-5.5 38.7/100Rank 35/492 of 3 levels

2 of 3 played
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 25 ptsTurn 9 / 18

Step 5 Preview 59.9/100Rank 42/491 of 3 levels

1 of 3 played
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 122 ptsTurn 28 / 28

Points per level

LevelGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Level 1Second Thoughts
17 ptsOut of lives
22 ptsSurvived
Level 2Pressure Pot
5 ptsOut of lives
Pending
Level 3Hide or Flight
Not played
Pending

Cooperative planning and learning from experience. Coordinate two robots to push numbered cores onto matching sockets. Pressure plates hold doors open; moving either robot uses one turn. 5 levels in sequence, up to 152 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

GPT-5.5 71.7/100Rank 16/50

Cleared 5 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 520.6 ptsTurn 27 / 40

Step 5 Preview 40.7/100Rank 28/50

Cleared 4 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 515 ptsTurn 35 / 40

Points per level

LevelGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Level 1Hold the door
5.2 ptsCleared
5.2 ptsCleared
Level 2Crossfeed
9.8 ptsCleared
9 ptsCleared
Level 3Relay vault
18.8 ptsCleared
18.6 ptsCleared
Level 4Passing bay
17.2 ptsClearedFinished early · 1 beacon left
15.6 ptsClearedFinished early · 3 beacons left
Level 5Second thoughts
20.6 ptsCleared
15 ptsFinished early

Newton's Mirror

Same task instructions

Physics, perspective and recursive reflections, tested together. Explore the test ↗

The judgment

GPT-5.5

The paint ordering and separate black bead support part of the physical state, but adhesion and rotational transport remain only partly established. The sweeping cyan arc and long crimson lobes do not clearly communicate the limited time since their respective impacts. The main sphere is too large and too low, and the black bead is below its required projected position. Displaced isolated sphere images, a flattened floor echo and missing recursive, nested and emitter reflections provide little coherent optical structure. The colored paint is excessively bulky for the specified quantities.

Step 5 Preview

The main sphere, airborne black and small colored features occupy broadly appropriate positions. Most of the defining mirror system is absent, and paint interaction remains only partially supported. The small paint features do not visibly establish a separate volume-scale violation.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
State at 600 ms15.0/2520.0/25
Camera and placement6.0/1513.5/15
Reflections5.0/12020.0/120
Materials and scale6.0/107.0/10
Floor-damage reward0.0/100.0/10

Benchmark task

A spinning metal sphere and paint in a mirrored room test physical reasoning, perspective and consistency across repeated reflections.

Selfie

Different task instructions

Visual construction and creative interpretation.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

Six pale, scaled lobes form a balanced radial arrangement, but they remain separate capsules rather than an interlocking serpent knot. There are no crossings, alternating overlaps, or crisp inner bends; the central hexagon is an isolated outline. Small outward-facing heads sit within the lobes without integrated necks. Soft shading and tidy contours provide some finish, while repetitive oval scales and cartoon faces limit organic credibility.

Step 5 Preview

A charming diagonal climber and warm palette communicate the central idea. Simple rounded construction, crowded limb counting, uncertain footholds and an unattached upper shelf limit its physical coherence. Growth bands and the yarn trail add specificity, but the requested material distinctions and unravelled bootie remain underdeveloped.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Task & likeness3.0/106.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/104.5/10
Space & placement5.0/105.0/10
Light & reflections5.0/105.5/10
Purposeful detail4.5/105.5/10
Artistry & character4.0/105.0/10
Materials & effects4.5/106.0/10
Visual integrity7.0/105.0/10

Benchmark task

GPT-5.5

A pale serpent woven into an interlocking knot tests connected anatomy, repeated structure and readable overlaps. Organic surface detail must work with the overall geometry.

Step 5 Preview

Character scenes test expression, anatomy, materials and coherent visual construction.

Mona Lisa

Same task instructions

Precise visual recall and portrait reconstruction.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

The veil, restrained smile, crossed hands and muted landscape establish Mona Lisa references. The oversized frontal face and schematic features weaken likeness and expression, while fingerless tapered hand shapes leave anatomy unresolved. Clean contours and balanced framing provide coherence, but sparse garment detail, broad landscape bands and shallow shading limit the portrait's sophistication.

Step 5 Preview

A recognizable, coherent simplification with purposeful facial contours and differentiated fingers. These provide more construction and detail than the broad silhouette alone suggests. The oversized face, frontal seated pose, unresolved wrists and sparse landscape still substantially limit likeness, depth and finish.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Task & likeness1.5/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction1.5/104.0/10
Space & placement1.5/104.0/10
Light & reflections2.0/103.5/10
Purposeful detail2.5/104.0/10
Artistry & character1.5/104.0/10
Materials & effects2.0/103.0/10
Visual integrity1.5/103.5/10

Benchmark task

An SVG interpretation of the Mona Lisa tests facial likeness, anatomy and the composition of a familiar portrait.

Beach

Same task instructions

Creativity, perspective and visual beauty.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

The sunset, palms, birds, playful animals and ball clearly establish the requested beach scene. Warm sky gradients and clean silhouettes make it appealing. Animal construction is underdeveloped: torso and limb connections are unclear, especially in the round-eared foreground figure. The dolphin lacks a convincing splash, and broad reflection bands suggest sunset light without resolving its behavior on water.

Step 5 Preview

A recognizable sunset beach with clear warm-cool contrast and playful accessories. Basic animal construction, shallow foreground placement and schematic reflections limit spatial and physical credibility. Sparse descriptive detail and abruptly ended sky bands constrain the finish.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Task & likeness7.0/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction2.5/103.0/10
Space & placement3.0/103.5/10
Light & reflections3.0/103.5/10
Purposeful detail3.0/103.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/103.0/10
Materials & effects3.0/103.5/10
Visual integrity3.5/104.0/10

Benchmark task

A busy shoreline at sunset tests scene composition, animal forms and the relationship between light and water reflections.

Ground Truth

Same task instructions

Physical reasoning, light and visual reconstruction.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Step 5 Preview

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Benchmark task

A plank, computer mouse and blueberry in a steel room test physical stability, spatial relationships, materials and lighting.

Raccoon

Same task instructions

Scene composition and interacting subjects.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

The raccoon's masked face, bright hull and sweeping wake make the scene readable and lively. The dog is much less resolved: its head is ambiguous, overlapping brown forms obscure its anatomy, and its paws do not visibly grip the controls. Smooth shapes and cheerful colors provide appeal, but weak steering construction and limited depth keep the drawing uneven.

Step 5 Preview

Recognizable animals, a bright palette and identifying accessories support a basic cartoon. Primitive anatomy, partial seated support, unresolved steering and weak hull-water contact limit the central action. Lighting and spray provide atmosphere without establishing convincing physical depth.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Task & likeness3.5/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/104.5/10
Space & placement4.5/103.0/10
Light & reflections5.0/103.5/10
Purposeful detail3.5/104.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/103.5/10
Materials & effects5.0/103.0/10
Visual integrity3.0/103.0/10

Benchmark task

A jet-ski scene pairs a canine driver with a raccoon passenger. It tests the placement and contact of interacting subjects, along with vehicle construction.

Pelican

Same task instructions

Subject construction and spatial relationships.

The judgment

GPT-5.5

The oversized bill, bright bicycle and sunset create an appealing, recognizable cartoon. Riding mechanics are less convincing: the wing has no clear steering contact, leg attachments are uneven, and feet do not visibly engage pedals. A dark notch complicates the rear neck junction. Clean contours and orderly spokes provide polish, while simplified anatomy and lighting limit depth.

Step 5 Preview

The pelican and bicycle are recognizable, with a pleasant palette and basic diffuse shading. The riding relationship fails physically: the bird is unsupported, the front wheel is unmounted, and pedalling is unresolved. Simple geometric construction and sparse material treatment further limit the drawing.

Score breakdown

CategoryGPT-5.5Step 5 Preview
Task & likeness7.5/103.0/10
Anatomy & construction4.5/103.0/10
Space & placement6.5/103.0/10
Light & reflections6.5/103.0/10
Purposeful detail5.5/104.0/10
Artistry & character5.0/103.0/10
Materials & effects6.0/103.0/10
Visual integrity7.5/102.0/10

Benchmark task

A cycling pelican tests anatomy, riding posture and contact between the bird and the bicycle.