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AI video · OpenAI · 2026

Sora 2

Sora 2 is OpenAI's video generator, released in late 2025. You type a sentence describing a scene, and it hands you back a 10-to-20-second clip with the picture, the motion, and the sound. The big leap over the first version: it generates the audio too (dialogue, music, ambient noise).

Video 5 min read Updated 2026-05-25
— What it is

Sora 2, in plain words

In plain words: it turns text into a short video, sound included. You describe a scene, and it puts it on screen.

OpenAI shipped a dedicated iOS app where you can film yourself once, then drop yourself into generated scenes. It's honestly kind of mind-blowing the first time.

The quality holds up on tight shots and simple scenes. On complex action (hands moving, objects crossing, crowds), it's still hit or miss.

What I actually use it for

The cases where Sora 2 has genuinely earned its keep for me:

  • Social media visuals: a 15-second clip to illustrate a LinkedIn post or an Instagram Reel. Zero filming.
  • Animated storyboards: before shooting a real video, I test the idea with 30 seconds of generation.
  • Short ads: a quick test of an ad concept before spending on a real production.
  • Placeholder visuals: for a presentation or a site, in place of a generic stock video.
  • Just for fun: sending an absurd video to my brother. It gets a laugh every time.

How it compares

vs Veo 3 (Google): Veo 3 is better on wide shots and cinematic realism. Sora 2 is better on synchronized sound and the social app. It's a close call.

vs Kling (Kuaishou): Kling is cheaper (about 3-4× less per second) and surprisingly good at human movement. I reach for it when budget matters.

vs Runway Gen-4: Runway keeps the edge on pro editing tools (controllable camera, masks, precise image-to-video). Sora 2 is simpler to get started with.

What it costs

API pricing as of May 2026 (source: platform.openai.com/docs/pricing):

  • $0.10 to $0.50 per second depending on resolution (480p, 720p, 1080p) and version (Sora 2 vs Sora 2 Pro)
  • A 10-second clip in 1080p Pro runs around $5

On the subscription side: included in ChatGPT Plus at $20/month (limited generation), and largely unlocked in ChatGPT Pro at $200/month. The Sora app on iOS also gives you access through the same account.

My take

I use it in bursts. When I need to illustrate an idea fast, it's great. For real video production, it's still too short (20 seconds max) and too rough on the details.

The iOS app is addictive for the first 3 days, then I barely open it. But when I do need it, I'm glad it exists.

If you want to try AI video without overthinking it, start here. It's the most beginner-friendly one out there.

Quick questions

Does Sora 2 do sound, or just the picture?

Sora 2 is OpenAI's video generation model, released in late 2025, able to produce 10-to-20-second clips with synchronized audio from a line of text. Available through ChatGPT and a dedicated iOS app.

What's the max length per clip?

20 seconds on Pro, 10 seconds on the standard version.

Can I upload a reference image?

Yes, Sora 2 accepts an image or a video as a starting point.

Checked on 2026-05-25 · next review 2026-11-25

Pricing and specs checked on the OpenAI pricing page. My usage: a few clips a week through the iOS app and ChatGPT Pro.

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