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1M context is now generally available for Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6

sourceSimon Willison
calendar_todayMarch 13, 2026
schedule1 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unlocking 1M Context: A Game Changer for Opus and Sonnet Models

Summary

The article discusses the general availability of 1M context for Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6, highlighting the implications for pricing and competition in the AI landscape.

Key Points

  • 1M context is now available for Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6.
  • Standard pricing applies across the full 1M context window, eliminating the long-context premium.
  • OpenAI and Gemini impose additional charges for prompts exceeding certain token counts.
  • Gemini 3.1 Pro has a token limit of 200,000, while GPT-5.4 has a limit of 272,000 tokens.
  • This development positions Opus and Sonnet competitively against other AI models in the market.
  • The move may influence how developers and companies approach prompt engineering and model selection.

Analysis

The introduction of 1M context for Opus and Sonnet models without a long-context premium is significant as it democratizes access to advanced AI capabilities. This could lead to broader adoption and innovation in generative AI applications, as developers can now leverage larger context windows without incurring additional costs.

Conclusion

IT professionals should consider the implications of this pricing model when selecting AI tools for their projects. Exploring Opus and Sonnet for applications requiring extensive context could yield cost-effective solutions in generative AI development.