GPT-5.2 o1 vs Gemini 3
A comprehensive 2026 comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs. We tested both extensively.
Quick Verdict: GPT-5.2 o1 vs Gemini 3
After extensive testing, **GPT-5.2 Thinking** comes out ahead with a 4.9/5 rating. It's the better choice for most users, especially those focused on Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs. However, Gemini 3 Pro remains competitive and may be preferable if you prioritize Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks.
GPT-5.2 Thinking edges out Gemini 3 Pro with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users in 2026. With a 4.9/5 rating, it excels particularly in Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs.
Try GPT-5.2 o1 FreeFeature Comparison Table
Side-by-side comparison of key features and capabilities
When to Use GPT-5.2 o1 vs Gemini 3
Choose GPT-5.2 o1 When You Need:
- Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs
- Superior coding assistance and code generation
Choose Gemini 3 When You Need:
- Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks
- Faster response times for time-sensitive work
- Processing longer documents with 1049K context
- Testing capabilities with a free tier before committing
In-Depth Analysis: GPT-5.2 o1 vs Gemini 3
Performance & Capabilities
In our comprehensive testing for 2026, we evaluated both GPT-5.2 Thinking and Gemini 3 Pro across multiple dimensions including coding tasks, creative writing, reasoning problems, and general conversation quality. GPT-5.2 Thinking emerged as our top pick with an overall rating of 4.9/5.
GPT-5.2 Thinking scored 4.8/5 on coding tasks, making it an excellent choice for developers. In comparison, Gemini 3 Pro achieved 4.7/5 in this category.
Pricing & Value
When it comes to pricing, Gemini 3 Pro offers a free tier for testing. For paid plans, Gemini 3 Pro is more affordable at $20/month compared to $200/month.
Use Cases & Target Audience
GPT-5.2 Thinking is particularly well-suited for Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs. Its strengths make it ideal for professionals who need advanced coding help, quality content creation, and reliable AI assistance.
Gemini 3 Pro, on the other hand, excels at Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks. Users who prioritize fast response times, complex reasoning, will find it particularly valuable.
GPT-5.2 Thinking Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best reasoning model from OpenAI
- Edges out Gemini 3 and Claude Opus 4.5 on most tests
- Performs at/above human expert level on GDPval
- Excellent for coding, math, and document analysis
- State-of-the-art on SWE-Bench Pro
Cons
- Expensive ($200/mo for Pro subscription)
- Slower than Instant variant
- Requires Pro subscription for full access
- Writing can feel robotic
Gemini 3 Pro Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best value - cheapest premium model
- Massive 1M+ token context
- First model to hit 1500 Elo
- True multimodal (video, audio, text, images)
- Excellent for large codebases
Cons
- Writing style less polished than Claude
- Google ecosystem integration can be limiting
- Deep Think mode limited to Ultra subscribers
Best For: GPT-5.2 o1
Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs
Best For: Gemini 3
Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GPT-5.2 o1 vs Gemini 3
Is GPT-5.2 Thinking better than Gemini 3 Pro in 2026?
Based on our benchmarks and analysis, GPT-5.2 Thinking performs better overall with a rating of 4.9/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - GPT-5.2 Thinking excels at Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs, while Gemini 3 Pro is better for Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks.
What is the price difference between GPT-5.2 o1 and Gemini 3?
GPT-5.2 Thinking costs $200/month for paid plans. Gemini 3 Pro offers a free tier and costs $20/month for paid plans.
Which is better for coding: GPT-5.2 o1 or Gemini 3?
For coding tasks, GPT-5.2 Thinking scores higher with a 4.8/5 coding rating compared to 4.7/5.
Can I use GPT-5.2 o1 and Gemini 3 for free?
GPT-5.2 Thinking requires a paid subscription. Gemini 3 Pro does offer a free tier with limited features. Both tools offer trial periods or limited free access for new users.
Which AI has a larger context window: GPT-5.2 o1 or Gemini 3?
Gemini 3 Pro has a larger context window at 1,048,576 tokens, compared to 128,000 tokens. Larger context windows allow processing more text in a single conversation.
Is GPT-5.2 o1 faster than Gemini 3?
In our speed tests, Gemini 3 Pro is faster with a speed rating of 4.7/5. Response times can vary based on server load and query complexity.
Which is better for writing content: GPT-5.2 o1 or Gemini 3?
For content writing, Gemini 3 Pro excels with a writing rating of 4.5/5 versus 4.5/5. Consider your specific writing needs when choosing.
Do GPT-5.2 o1 and Gemini 3 support image generation?
GPT-5.2 Thinking supports image understanding and analysis. Gemini 3 Pro supports image understanding and analysis. For dedicated image generation, consider specialized tools like DALL-E or Midjourney.
Which AI should beginners choose: GPT-5.2 o1 or Gemini 3?
For beginners, we recommend Gemini 3 Pro since it offers a free tier. GPT-5.2 Thinking has a slightly better overall user experience based on our testing.
Can I switch from GPT-5.2 o1 to Gemini 3 easily?
Yes, switching between AI tools is straightforward since they use similar prompting interfaces. Your conversation history won't transfer, but you can export important outputs. Many professionals use both tools depending on the task - GPT-5.2 Thinking for Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs and Gemini 3 Pro for Large projects, budget-conscious users, multimodal tasks.
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Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow in 2026.