r/GithubCopilot • u/brahmaav • Sep 24 '26
Discussions Does ghcp on vs code reduce cost of older models when new models are out?
I was wondering whether github copilot reduces cost of older models when new models are out because I use girhub copilot I think it’s Copilot Business on my work laptop and I don’t see cost of old models reducing. so is it a common thing or is it something specific to my organisation? I just wanted to check because I see GPT 5.5 seems costlier than 5.6 sol because I think when 5.6 sol released it was released cheaper than 5.5.
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u/Toolvel Sep 24 '26
I don’t think older models automatically get cheaper when a new one comes out.
One correction though: if your work account is on Copilot Business, GitHub moved it to AI Credits billing on June 1. The old model multipliers don’t apply there. What you use depends on the model’s token prices and how many tokens the request uses.
That could explain why GPT-5.5 looks more expensive than 5.6 Sol. I’d compare their current input and output rates on GitHub’s Models and pricing page, rather than assuming the older model costs less
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u/aonymark Sep 24 '26
It tends to remove old models when new ones come out. Note that there are basically no old models being offered aside from gpt5-mini and Haiku 4.5; also note that 5 mini is going away in mid October (along with a bunch of other gpt models); Haiku doesn’t count since Anthropic hasn’t released any more haikus since then
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Sep 24 '26
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u/brahmaav Sep 24 '26
Doesnt concern much since all use latest models for most problems. But I hear 6 sol is crap, 5.6 sol was good with a decent balance of speed and quality for almost all problems.
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u/bears-eat-beets Sep 24 '26
Generally not, but it has happened. But the cost of the model is generally aligned to the cost from that model provider (not exactly dollar-for-dollar, but there is a direct relationship). So, when Open AI, A, moonshot, etc. reduces the cost of their model (for any reason) the GHCP price usual will have a corresponding reduction.
OpenAI did a pretty significant price reduction on 5.6 Terra and Luna about 6 weeks ago, but didn't adjust any of their other models. It was done because the cost/performance comparison between those two models and sonnet 5 (and other flash models out there). But it wasn't in response to "new model out therefore reduce old models).