The AI landscape in late 2025 is more competitive than ever. Just weeks ago, Google launched Gemini 3 Pro, quickly followed by Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5, and now OpenAI has responded with GPT-5.2 — released on December 11 after an internal “code red” to reclaim leadership.
These three frontier models — ChatGPT 5.2 (powered by GPT-5.2), Gemini 3 Pro, and Claude Opus 4.5 — represent the pinnacle of generative AI. They excel in advanced reasoning, coding, multimodal tasks, and real-world applications. For developers, researchers, businesses, or everyday users, selecting the right model can dramatically boost productivity.
At Purple AI Tools, we’ve analyzed the latest benchmarks, official announcements, independent evaluations, and real-user tests to create this in-depth comparison. We’ll examine performance metrics, capabilities, pricing, accessibility, strengths/weaknesses, and ideal use cases. By the end, you’ll have a clear, unbiased view of which model best fits your needs in this rapidly evolving space.
Overview of the Models
OpenAI’s GPT-5.2
Released December 11, 2025, GPT-5.2 is OpenAI’s rapid response to competitors. Available in three variants:
- Instant: Fast for everyday queries.
- Thinking: Optimized for structured reasoning, coding, and long documents.
- Pro: Maximum accuracy for the toughest problems.
It focuses on professional knowledge work, with improvements in tool-calling, vision, and reduced errors (38% fewer than predecessors). OpenAI claims it outperforms or matches human experts on 70.9% of GDPval tasks — a benchmark for occupational knowledge work.
Google’s Gemini 3 Pro
Launched early December 2025, Gemini 3 Pro is Google’s “most intelligent model yet.” It features native multimodality (text, images, audio, video), a massive context window, and “Deep Think” mode for extended reasoning. Integrated deeply with Google Workspace, it’s designed for breadth — from research to creative tasks.
Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5
Released November 24, 2025, Claude Opus 4.5 prioritizes precision, safety, and agentic capabilities. It leads in coding benchmarks and tool use, with strong ethical guardrails. Anthropic emphasizes reliability for enterprise and development workflows.
ChatGPT 5.2 vs Gemini 3 Pro vs Claude Opus 4.5: Quick Comparison Table
| Category | GPT-5.2 (Pro/Thinking) | Gemini 3 Pro | Claude Opus 4.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | December 11, 2025 | Early December 2025 | November 24, 2025 |
| Key Strengths | Abstract reasoning, math, professional tasks | Multimodal, research, integration | Coding, precision, tool-calling |
| GPQA Diamond (Reasoning) | 93.2% (Pro) | 93.8%–91.9% | ~87% |
| SWE-Bench Verified (Coding) | ~55–80% (varies by report) | ~43–76% | 80.9% (leader) |
| AIME 2025 (Math) | 100% (no tools) | 95–100% | 100% |
| ARC-AGI-2 (Abstract) | 52.9–54.2% | ~45% | 37.6% |
| Context Window | 256K–1M+ tokens (varies) | 1M+ tokens | 200K (up to 1M beta) |
| Multimodal | Strong (images, video analysis) | Native (text/image/audio/video) | Strong text/vision; improving |
| Consumer Pricing | Plus: $20/mo; Pro: $200/mo | Advanced: ~$20/mo (Google One) | Pro: $20/mo; higher tiers available |
| API Input Cost (approx) | $1.75–$5/M tokens | $0.35–$1.25/M tokens | $5–$15/M tokens |
| Availability | ChatGPT app/API (rolling out) | Gemini app/Google apps/API | Claude.ai/API/Bedrock |
Data compiled from official releases, Vellum AI, LMSYS, and independent reports as of December 14, 2025.
Detailed Performance Breakdown
Benchmarks provide objective insights, though real-world performance varies by task.
Reasoning and Problem-Solving
- GPQA Diamond (PhD-level science): Gemini 3 Pro leads at 91.9–93.8%, followed closely by GPT-5.2 at 93.2%. Claude Opus 4.5 trails at ~87%.
- ARC-AGI-2 (abstract reasoning): GPT-5.2 dominates with 52.9–54.2%, far ahead of Gemini (~45%) and Claude (37.6%).
- GDPval (knowledge work): GPT-5.2 Thinking beats professionals 70.9% of the time — a strong claim for enterprise tasks.
Gemini excels in factual, search-grounded reasoning; GPT-5.2 in novel problem-solving; Claude in consistent, ethical responses.
Mathematics
All models achieve near-perfection on AIME 2025 (100% for GPT-5.2 and Claude without tools; Gemini 95–100%). GPT-5.2’s “Thinking” mode shines in multi-step planning.
Coding and Software Engineering
This is the most contested area:
- SWE-Bench Verified: Claude Opus 4.5 holds the crown at 80.9%, making it the go-to for complex, multi-file projects.
- GPT-5.2 scores 55–80% (reports vary), outperforming Gemini’s 43–76%.
- Real-world tests show Claude’s precision reduces errors in full-stack development, while GPT-5.2 accelerates prototyping.
Claude is the clear leader for professional developers.
Multimodal and Vision
Gemini 3 Pro’s native handling of video/audio gives it an edge (e.g., 87–91% on Video-MMMU). GPT-5.2 improved vision for spreadsheets/presentations. Claude is strong in text-based multimodal but lags in video.
Speed, Efficiency, and Long-Context
Gemini and Claude offer 1M+ token windows for massive documents/codebases. GPT-5.2 focuses on efficient tool-calling. Latency varies: Instant variants are fastest for casual use.
No single winner — ties in many areas, with specialized leads.
In-Depth Capabilities
Advanced Reasoning
- GPT-5.2’s extended chain-of-thought (Thinking/Pro modes) handles agentic workflows exceptionally, beating professionals in report generation and planning.
- Gemini’s Deep Think mode excels in long-horizon tasks with citations.
- Claude’s hybrid reasoning prioritizes instruction-following and safety, ideal for regulated industries.
Coding and Development
- Claude Opus 4.5 is unmatched for reliability in real-world repos (e.g., autonomous agents refining code over iterations). Developers praise its low error rates.
- GPT-5.2 rapid prototyping with modern frameworks.
- Gemini for visual debugging or quick scripts.
Multimodal Features
- Gemini analyzes videos/charts natively and integrates with Google tools.
- GPT-5.2 generates/analyzes spreadsheets and PowerPoints.
- Claude strong in document/image reasoning, with tools like Chrome extensions.
Tool Use and Agents
- Claude leads (98%+ accuracy), followed by GPT-5.2. Gemini integrates search seamlessly.
- All support automation, but Claude feels most “agentic” for pipelines.
Creativity and Writing
Tight race: GPT-5.2 for depth/coherence; Gemini for versatility; Claude for concise, ethical outputs.
Safety and Ethics
Anthropic’s Constitutional AI gives Claude the strongest guardrails. All have improved, but Claude refuses harmful requests most consistently.
Pricing and Accessibility
Value is crucial in 2025’s saturated market.
Consumer Plans
- ChatGPT: Plus ($20/mo) for basic flagship access; Pro ($200/mo) for unlimited Pro variant — aimed at power users.
- Gemini Advanced: ~$20/mo (via Google One AI Premium), includes storage and Workspace integration.
- Claude Pro: $20/mo; higher “Max” tiers (~$100–200/mo) for heavy use.
Gemini offers the best bundled value for Google ecosystem users.
API and Enterprise
- OpenAI: ~$1.75–$5/M input tokens.
- Google Vertex AI: ~$0.35–$1.25/M — most affordable.
- Anthropic: $5–$15/M input — premium for precision.
Enterprise plans vary: OpenAI/ChatGPT Enterprise for scale; Gemini in Workspace; Claude on Bedrock/Vertex.
All accessible via web/apps/APIs, with rolling updates.
ChatGPT 5.2 vs Gemini 3 Pro vs Claude Opus 4.5: Real-World Use Cases
Daily Productivity
Gemini 3 Pro wins blind tests (LMSYS Arena) for quick, cited responses — perfect for research/emails.
Professional Development
Claude Opus 4.5 for error-free coding and automation.
Enterprise and Data Analysis
GPT-5.2 for long-context planning, spreadsheets, and decision support.
Creative/Multimodal
Gemini for video/UI tasks; GPT-5.2 for presentations.
User showdowns: GPT-5.2 wins creative prompts; Claude coding; Gemini research.
Pros and Cons
GPT-5.2
- Pros: Depth in reasoning/math; enterprise tools; rapid improvements.
- Cons: Higher Pro cost; occasional caution.
Gemini 3 Pro
- Pros: Balanced/multimodal; affordable; ecosystem integration.
- Cons: Coding depth trails Claude.
Claude Opus 4.5
- Pros: Coding precision; safety; API value for pros.
- Cons: Weaker in some vision tasks.
Ethical Considerations and Future Outlook
All companies emphasize safety, but Anthropic leads with transparency. The race intensifies — expect updates soon.
Final Verdict
- Best Overall/Balanced: Gemini 3 Pro — accessible, versatile, great value.
- Best for Coding/Precision: Claude Opus 4.5 — professional dev essential.
- Best for Depth/Enterprise: GPT-5.2 — premium power for complex work.
Test free tiers first. The “best” evolves weekly — stay tuned to Purple AI Tools!
Data current as of December 14, 2025. Benchmarks/pricing subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gemini 3 Pro has the edge with native multimodal capabilities across text, images, audio, and video. GPT-5.2 offers strong vision improvements for tasks like spreadsheet analysis, while Claude Opus 4.5 is improving but remains strongest in text-based multimodal.
Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5 emphasizes strong ethical guardrails and transparency. All models have improved safety, but Claude often refuses harmful requests most consistently.
Extremely fast—models like GPT-5.2 were rushed in response to competitors. Expect frequent updates; test multiple models via free tiers to stay current. Check Purple AI Tools for the latest comparisons!