GPT-4.5 API at $150/1M Tokens: Overpriced?

OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.5, an advanced AI model designed to enhance chatbot interactions with improved natural language processing, a richer knowledge base, and better contextual understanding. This latest iteration leverages scaled pre-training and post-training methodologies, making it more adept at recognizing patterns, drawing logical connections, and generating insightful responses.

Key Features of GPT-4.5

• More Human-like Interactions: Early testing indicates that conversations with GPT-4.5 feel more intuitive, with enhanced comprehension of user intent.
• Broader Knowledge & Reduced Hallucinations: The model benefits from a deeper understanding of various subjects while being less prone to fabricating information.
• Improved Emotional Intelligence (EQ): It performs well in applications requiring nuanced responses, such as writing assistance, coaching, and brainstorming.
• Stronger Reasoning Capabilities: While it doesn’t engage in premeditated reasoning, it serves as a powerful foundational model for future AI systems that integrate logical inference and structured problem-solving.

Accessing GPT-4.5 via ChatGPT

GPT-4.5 is available to ChatGPT Pro users across web, mobile, and desktop platforms. The rollout schedule includes:

• ChatGPT Pro users: Immediate access.
• Plus & Team subscribers: Rolling out within a week.
• Enterprise & Education (Edu) users: Available in the following week.

Capabilities in ChatGPT

• Real-time Web Search: Ensures access to the most recent information.
• File & Image Uploads: Enables document processing and visual analysis.
• Canvas for Writing & Coding: Enhances collaboration by allowing structured content creation.

However, GPT-4.5 does not yet support multimodal functionalities like Voice Mode, video processing, or screen sharing. OpenAI has stated plans to refine these features in future updates.

Also Read: Access ChatGPT Pro Features for Free with DeepSeek-R1, Kimi k1.5 & More!

Using GPT-4.5 in the API

Developers can integrate GPT-4.5 into their applications using OpenAI’s API services, including:

• Chat Completions API
• Assistants API
• Batch API

Supported Features in API

• Function Calling: Enables structured API responses for dynamic task execution.
• Structured Outputs: Ensures data consistency across AI-generated responses.
• Streaming Support: Allows real-time data processing.
• System Messages: Provides context-aware assistant guidance.
• Vision Capabilities: Accepts image inputs for visual analysis.

Ideal Use Cases for Developers

GPT-4.5 is particularly useful for:

• Content Writing & Editing: Enhanced creativity and contextual awareness for blogs, scripts, and social media content.
• AI-Assisted Learning & Coaching: Intelligent tutoring with dynamic feedback.
• Conversational Agents: More human-like virtual assistants.
• Multi-Step Coding Workflows: Streamlined automation for complex programming tasks.

Pricing & Long-Term Availability

Being a large and compute-intensive model, GPT-4.5 is more expensive to run compared to models like GPT-4o. OpenAI is currently evaluating whether to maintain long-term API support based on developer adoption and performance feedback.

Steps to Access Your OpenAI API Key

To use GPT-4.5 via API, you first need to obtain an OpenAI API key. Follow these steps:

1. Sign Up or Log In to OpenAI
2. Navigate to API Keys Section
   • Once logged in, go to the API Keys section in your account settings.
3. Create a New API Key
   • Click on “Create API Key” and copy the generated key.
   • Store it securely, as OpenAI will not show it again after creation.
4. Set Up Billing (if required)
   • Some usage tiers require adding billing details. Ensure your account is set up for API access.
5. Use the API Key in Your Application
   • Implement the API key in your code to authenticate requests to OpenAI’s GPT-4.5.

Accessing GPT-4.5 via API

To integrate GPT-4.5 into your application, follow these steps:

1. Install OpenAI’s Python Library

!pip install openai

2. Authenticate with Your API Key

import os

import getpass

# Enter your API key securely

user_api_key = getpass.getpass("OpenAI API Key: ")

os.environ["OPENAI_API_KEY"] = user_api_key

3. Make an API Request to GPT-4.5

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI()

completion = client.chat.completions.create(

    model="gpt-4.5-preview-2025-02-27",

    messages=[

        {"role": "user", "content": "Write a stand-up comedy roast about AI"}

    ]

)

4. Response

Once executed, the script will return a text-based response from GPT-4.5, tailored to the given prompt.

print(completion.choices[0].message.content)

Output:

Alright, folks, good evening!
Tonight, we're roasting the tech industry's darling: OpenAI.
Yes, the people behind ChatGPT—the app that single-handedly turned every student into a lazy scholar overnight!
OpenAI, you've made AI accessible to everyone.
Now there's finally a chance humanity will be replaced, not by evil robots, but by overly polite chatbots that apologize excessively every time they potentially offend anyone.
Seriously, have you talked to ChatGPT lately?
It's so eager to please, it's like Siri went to therapy.
You ask it for some basic financial advice, and suddenly it's apologizing for not having an accounting certificate or a subscription to Forbes magazine.
And let's talk accuracy.
ChatGPT confidently spits out incorrect info like your uncle confidently shares conspiracy theories at Thanksgiving dinner.
It always sounds authoritative—until you actually fact-check it.
You realize it's like Wikipedia's cousin who dropped out of school and started a podcast.
People used to worry AI would bring about the apocalypse.
Nah, OpenAI just developed bots that generate poems and dad jokes when humanity was hoping for flying cars and robot butlers.
Speaking of creativity, OpenAI names its systems GPT-3.5, GPT-4—such original naming!
What's next? GPT-5? GPT-Xtreme?
How about GPT-Pro-Max-Ultra?
Apple called—they want their naming schemes back.
OpenAI's mission is "to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity."
Translation: buy a $20-a-month subscription so AI that might take your job can do so faster and better.
Progress!
But let's give credit where it's due: OpenAI did help us discover humanity's greatest fear—writing an email from scratch.
Good to know.
And finally, OpenAI, I'm not angry, just disappointed—mostly because every time I mentioned you could "code," my manager gave me double work and half pay, knowing ChatGPT could probably do it faster.
OpenAI—turning our deepest fears into subscription services since 2015.
Keep it coming, folks, we've got GPT-5 to GPT-50 ahead!
Thank you, OpenAI.
Don't forget applause was real human applause and not generated—yet.

Let’s take another prompt

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI()

completion = client.chat.completions.create(

    model="gpt-4.5-preview-2025-02-27",

    messages=[

        {"role": "user", "content": "Look at this series: 80, 10, 70, 15, 60, … What number should come next?"}

    ]

)

print(completion.choices[0].message.content)

Output:

Let's identify the pattern step-by-step:
The given series is:
80, 10, 70, 15, 60, …
Now, let's separate this series into two sequences (odd and even positions):
- Odd positions: 80, 70, 60  
- Even positions: 10, 15
We can clearly see the pattern here:
- Odd positions are decreasing by 10 each time: **80 → 70 → 60**, next odd will be 50
- Even positions seem to be increasing by 5 each time: **10 → 15**, next even will be 20
Thus, the next number, being the 6th number (an even position), should be **20**.
**Answer:** 20

My Take

After exploring GPT-4.5’s capabilities, I can’t help but feel it lands in a bit of an awkward spot. Sure, it’s got some impressive features—better human-like interactions, a broader knowledge base, and solid reasoning chops – but it doesn’t quite live up to the hype of a groundbreaking leap forward. Compared to other models like o1, o3-mini, or even competitors like Claude 3.7 Sonnet, its performance feels average at best, especially in areas like coding where it lags behind.

And then there’s the cost: being a compute-heavy model, it’s noticeably pricier than alternatives like GPT-4o. For developers or businesses watching their budgets, that steep price tag raises questions about whether the juice is worth the squeeze. Honestly, unless you’re locked into OpenAI’s ecosystem or need its specific strengths right now, it’s hard to justify the expense when other options might deliver more bang for less buck.

Conclusion

GPT-4.5 brings some notable upgrades to the table—improved conversational skills, enhanced creativity, and decent reasoning abilities, making it a solid option for developers via OpenAI’s API or users through ChatGPT. Yet, its hefty computational demands and higher cost leave its long-term viability uncertain, as OpenAI gauges its adoption. While it’s a capable tool for tasks like content creation or problem-solving, its middling performance in some areas and premium price point might not wow everyone.

I’m curious -what’s your take on GPT-4.5? Does it meet your expectations, or do you find the cost outweighing the benefits too? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Hi, I am Pankaj Singh Negi – Senior Content Editor | Passionate about storytelling and crafting compelling narratives that transform ideas into impactful content. I love reading about technology revolutionizing our lifestyle.