Artificial Analysis: Upgrading Claude model tier beats maxing reasoning effort on cost
ArtificialAnlys · x · 2026-11-12
Artificial Analysis' Intelligence Index vs Cost per Task analysis of the Claude lineup shows that moving up a model tier beats maxing out reasoning effort for intelligence per dollar: Claude Opus 5.5 (xhigh, 57) outscores Sonnet 5.5 (max, 55) with 40% lower cost per task and roughly half the time (15.9 vs 32.6 min); Claude Fable 5.2 (high) beats Opus 5.5 (max) while saving 34% time. The pattern breaks at the cheapest tier, where every step up from Haiku 5.5 (max) costs more.
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