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GitHub Copilot AI Models: A Developer's Guide to Choosing the Right Model

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Introduction

GitHub Copilot now supports multiple AI models from leading providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and xAI, giving developers unprecedented flexibility to choose the right tool for their specific coding scenarios. Understanding the strengths and trade-offs of each model can significantly improve your productivity and code quality. This guide breaks down when to use each model and provides practical tips for getting the most out of GitHub Copilot in 2026.

Available Models Overview

As of January 2026, GitHub Copilot offers access to an extensive range of AI models:

OpenAI Models:

  1. GPT-4o - Latest GPT-4 optimized model
  2. GPT-4 Turbo - Fast GPT-4 variant
  3. GPT-5 (1x) - Latest GPT-5 model
  4. GPT-5-Codex (Preview, 1x) - GPT-5 optimized for coding
  5. GPT-5.1 (1x) - Enhanced GPT-5 version
  6. GPT-5.1-Codex (1x) - GPT-5.1 optimized for coding
  7. GPT-5.1-Codex-Max (1x) - Maximum performance coding model
  8. GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini (Preview, 0.33x) - Lightweight coding model
  9. GPT-5.2 (1x) - Latest GPT-5.2 model
  10. GPT-5.2-Codex (1x) - GPT-5.2 optimized for coding
  11. o1-preview - Advanced reasoning model
  12. o1-mini - Faster reasoning model

Anthropic Models:

  1. Claude Sonnet 4 (1x) - Claude 4 balanced model
  2. Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x) - Latest Claude Sonnet version
  3. Claude Opus 4.5 (3x) - Most capable Claude 4 model
  4. Claude Haiku 4.5 (0.33x) - Fast, efficient Claude 4 model

Google Models:

  1. Gemini 2.5 Pro (1x) - Advanced Gemini model
  2. Gemini 3 Pro (Preview, 1x) - Latest Gemini Pro version
  3. Gemini 3 Flash (Preview, 0.33x) - Fast Gemini variant

xAI Models:

  1. Grok Code Fast 1 (0x) - xAI’s coding-focused model

Other Models:

  1. Raptor mini (Preview, 0x) - Lightweight preview model

Model Comparison & Best Use Cases

GPT-4o: The Optimized Flagship

Best for:

  • Balanced performance and speed
  • General-purpose development tasks
  • Multi-modal interactions
  • Real-time code assistance
  • Production-grade applications

When to use:

  • Need reliable, fast responses
  • Working on standard to moderately complex tasks
  • Require consistent quality across various coding scenarios
  • Building customer-facing features

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier varies by implementation
  • May not match GPT-5 series for cutting-edge capabilities
  • Optimized for speed over maximum reasoning depth

Pro tip: GPT-4o strikes an excellent balance between speed and capability, making it ideal for daily production work.

GPT-4 Turbo: The Speed Specialist

Best for:

  • Rapid code completion
  • Quick iterations during development
  • Real-time suggestions
  • High-throughput scenarios
  • Time-sensitive projects

When to use:

  • Need fastest possible responses
  • Working under tight deadlines
  • Require immediate feedback during coding
  • Building prototypes quickly

Trade-offs:

  • May sacrifice some reasoning depth for speed
  • Better for well-defined problems than complex reasoning
  • Not ideal for architectural decisions

Pro tip: Use GPT-4 Turbo when velocity matters more than maximum sophistication.

GPT-5 (1x): The Next-Generation Model

Best for:

  • Advanced reasoning tasks
  • Complex code generation
  • Multi-step problem solving
  • Sophisticated algorithm implementation
  • Novel problem approaches

When to use:

  • Tackling new or unusual challenges
  • Need cutting-edge AI capabilities
  • Working on innovative solutions
  • Require deep contextual understanding

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • May be slower than GPT-4 variants
  • Newer model with evolving capabilities

Pro tip: GPT-5 represents the next generation of AI capabilities—use it when you need the latest advancements.

GPT-5-Codex (Preview, 1x): The Code-First Innovator

Best for:

  • Cutting-edge code generation
  • Complex programming patterns
  • Advanced code optimization
  • Novel algorithm development
  • Experimental coding approaches

When to use:

  • Need latest code-specific capabilities
  • Working on innovative coding solutions
  • Exploring new programming paradigms
  • Require advanced code understanding

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Preview status (may have limitations)
  • Evolving capabilities

Pro tip: GPT-5-Codex is ideal for developers who want to leverage the latest code-specific AI advancements.

GPT-5.1 (1x): The Enhanced Model

Best for:

  • Improved reasoning over GPT-5
  • Complex code generation
  • Multi-file refactoring
  • Advanced problem-solving
  • Production-ready code

When to use:

  • Need enhanced capabilities over GPT-5
  • Working on sophisticated features
  • Require reliable, high-quality output
  • Building complex systems

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Balanced speed and quality
  • Standard computational cost

Pro tip: GPT-5.1 offers improvements over GPT-5 while maintaining the same cost structure.

GPT-5.1-Codex (1x): The Advanced Code Specialist

Best for:

  • Advanced code-specific tasks
  • Complex algorithm implementation
  • Code optimization and refactoring
  • Technical debt reduction
  • Performance-critical code

When to use:

  • Need specialized code understanding
  • Working on complex algorithms
  • Implementing performance optimizations
  • Refactoring legacy code

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Specialized for code tasks
  • May be overkill for simple questions

Pro tip: Use GPT-5.1-Codex when you need advanced code-specific capabilities with enhanced reasoning.

GPT-5.1-Codex-Max (1x): The Maximum Performance Model

Best for:

  • Maximum code generation quality
  • Extremely complex algorithms
  • Critical performance optimization
  • Advanced architectural patterns
  • Mission-critical code

When to use:

  • Need absolute best code quality
  • Working on performance-critical systems
  • Implementing complex design patterns
  • Solving the toughest coding challenges

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • May be slower than lighter models
  • Best reserved for complex tasks

Pro tip: GPT-5.1-Codex-Max is your go-to for the most demanding code generation tasks.

GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini (Preview, 0.33x): The Efficient Code Assistant

Best for:

  • Lightweight code generation
  • Quick code completions
  • Standard coding patterns
  • High-volume coding tasks
  • Cost-effective development

When to use:

  • Need efficient code assistance
  • Working on standard implementations
  • Require fast responses
  • Budget-conscious development

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 0.33x (very efficient!)
  • Preview status
  • Less sophisticated than full Codex models

Pro tip: With its low multiplier, GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini is perfect for high-volume coding without premium cost concerns.

GPT-5.2 (1x): The Latest Flagship

Best for:

  • Complex code generation requiring deep context understanding
  • Multi-file refactoring tasks
  • Architectural decisions and design patterns
  • Advanced reasoning and problem-solving
  • Critical production code

When to use:

  • Working on mission-critical systems
  • Need highest accuracy for complex algorithms
  • Dealing with legacy codebases requiring careful analysis
  • Solving challenging technical problems

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Slower than lightweight models
  • Higher computational cost

Pro tip: GPT-5.2 represents the cutting edge of OpenAI’s capabilities. Use it when quality and accuracy are paramount.

GPT-5.2-Codex (1x): The Ultimate Code Specialist

Best for:

  • Code-specific tasks and optimizations
  • Understanding complex code patterns
  • Advanced code generation
  • Technical debt reduction
  • Performance optimization

When to use:

  • Need specialized code understanding
  • Working on performance-critical code
  • Implementing complex algorithms
  • Code optimization tasks

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Specialized for code, may be overkill for general questions
  • Best-in-class for code tasks

Pro tip: GPT-5.2-Codex is the most advanced code-specific model available—use it for your toughest coding challenges.

o1-preview: The Advanced Reasoning Specialist

Best for:

  • Complex logical reasoning
  • Mathematical problem solving
  • Algorithm design and analysis
  • Multi-step reasoning tasks
  • Formal verification approaches
  • Deep analytical thinking

When to use:

  • Need deep analytical thinking
  • Working on algorithmically complex problems
  • Require formal reasoning capabilities
  • Solving mathematical or logical challenges
  • Complex system design requiring step-by-step analysis

Trade-offs:

  • May be slower due to reasoning depth
  • Optimized for reasoning over speed
  • Best for specific analytical tasks
  • Premium request multiplier varies

Pro tip: o1-preview excels at problems requiring step-by-step logical reasoning and mathematical analysis. Use it when you need to think through complex problems systematically.

o1-mini: The Efficient Reasoner

Best for:

  • Fast reasoning tasks
  • Moderate complexity problems
  • Quick analytical solutions
  • Balanced reasoning and speed
  • Cost-effective reasoning

When to use:

  • Need reasoning capabilities with faster responses
  • Working on moderately complex logical tasks
  • Require efficient resource usage
  • Balancing quality and speed
  • Standard algorithm design

Trade-offs:

  • Less depth than o1-preview
  • Better for focused problems than broad analysis
  • Optimized for efficiency
  • Faster but less comprehensive reasoning

Pro tip: o1-mini provides reasoning capabilities at a more accessible speed and cost point—perfect for everyday reasoning tasks.

Claude Sonnet 4 (1x): The Balanced Claude

Best for:

  • Balanced code generation
  • Standard development tasks
  • Quality-focused implementations
  • Thoughtful code suggestions
  • General-purpose development

When to use:

  • Need reliable Claude performance
  • Working on standard features
  • Require good balance of speed and quality
  • Building production applications

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Solid all-around performance
  • May not match Sonnet 4.5 for cutting-edge quality

Pro tip: Claude Sonnet 4 provides excellent balanced performance for most development tasks.

Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x): The Quality Champion

Best for:

  • Code reviews and quality improvements
  • Security-conscious code generation
  • Detailed explanations and documentation
  • Refactoring with emphasis on best practices
  • Maintainable, production-ready code

When to use:

  • Need thorough, thoughtful code suggestions
  • Working on security-sensitive features
  • Want detailed reasoning behind suggestions
  • Require strong adherence to coding standards
  • Complex logic requiring careful reasoning

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Can be more verbose in explanations
  • Slightly slower than lightweight models

Pro tip: Claude Sonnet 4.5 excels at writing clean, maintainable code with strong attention to best practices and security.

Claude Opus 4.5 (3x): The Premium Powerhouse

Best for:

  • Extremely complex reasoning tasks
  • Mission-critical code requiring highest quality
  • Comprehensive code analysis
  • Advanced architectural decisions
  • Complex multi-step problem solving

When to use:

  • Working on the most challenging problems
  • Need the absolute best quality output
  • Complex system design
  • Critical security implementations

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 3x (use strategically!)
  • Slower response times
  • Best reserved for truly complex tasks

Pro tip: Claude Opus 4.5 is your “big gun”—use it sparingly for the toughest challenges where quality is non-negotiable.

Claude Haiku 4.5 (0.33x): The Speed Champion

Best for:

  • Real-time code completion
  • Quick syntax fixes
  • Boilerplate code generation
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Repetitive coding tasks
  • Standard CRUD operations

When to use:

  • Need instant feedback while typing
  • Working on repetitive tasks
  • Generating standard code patterns
  • Time-sensitive development sprints
  • Writing scaffolding code

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 0.33x (very efficient!)
  • Less sophisticated reasoning for complex problems
  • Not suitable for architectural decisions

Pro tip: With its low multiplier and fast responses, Claude Haiku 4.5 is perfect for high-velocity coding sessions.

Gemini 2.5 Pro (1x): The Advanced Google Model

Best for:

  • Complex reasoning with Google’s approach
  • Multimodal code generation
  • Advanced problem solving
  • Alternative to GPT/Claude models

When to use:

  • Need Google’s advanced capabilities
  • Working with multimodal tasks
  • Want alternative AI perspective
  • Exploring different approaches

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Mature, established model
  • Strong multimodal capabilities

Pro tip: Gemini 2.5 Pro offers a powerful alternative perspective to OpenAI and Anthropic models.

Gemini 3 Pro (Preview, 1x): The Google Flagship

Best for:

  • Complex reasoning with Google’s latest approach
  • Multimodal code generation
  • Advanced problem solving
  • Alternative to GPT/Claude models

When to use:

  • Want to try Google’s latest flagship
  • Need different perspective on problems
  • Working with images and code together
  • Exploring alternative AI approaches

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 1x
  • Public preview status
  • Availability may vary

Pro tip: Gemini 3 Pro represents Google’s latest AI advancements—experiment with it for fresh perspectives.

Gemini 3 Flash (Preview, 0.33x): The Google Speedster

Best for:

  • Fast iterations
  • Multimodal tasks (code + images)
  • Quick prototyping
  • Standard coding patterns

When to use:

  • Need Google’s latest technology
  • Working with visual elements
  • Rapid development cycles
  • Experimenting with new approaches

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 0.33x
  • Public preview (may have limitations)
  • Less mature than established models

Pro tip: Gemini 3 Flash combines speed with multimodal capabilities at an efficient price point.

Grok Code Fast 1 (0x): The Unlimited Alternative

Best for:

  • High-volume code generation
  • Alternative coding perspectives
  • Fast iterations
  • Unlimited usage scenarios
  • Experimental approaches

When to use:

  • Want to try xAI’s approach
  • Need unlimited usage without premium costs
  • Looking for different coding styles
  • Exploring alternative AI perspectives
  • High-frequency coding tasks

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 0x (unlimited!)
  • Newer model with evolving capabilities
  • Different approach than established models

Pro tip: With 0x multiplier, Grok Code Fast 1 is perfect for high-volume experimentation and unlimited daily coding without consuming premium requests.

Raptor mini (Preview, 0x): The Unlimited Specialist

Best for:

  • GitHub-specific workflows
  • High-frequency coding tasks
  • Standard development patterns
  • Unlimited daily usage
  • Cost-conscious development

When to use:

  • Need unlimited model access
  • Working on typical GitHub workflows
  • Require efficient, focused responses
  • Budget is a primary concern
  • Standard development tasks

Trade-offs:

  • Premium request multiplier: 0x (unlimited!)
  • Preview status with potential limitations
  • Optimized for specific use cases
  • Fine-tuned for GitHub workflows

Pro tip: Raptor mini is ideal for developers who need unlimited access for standard coding tasks without any premium request concerns.

Practical Tips & Tricks

1. Match Model to Task Complexity

Simple tasks (syntax, boilerplate, formatting):
→ Use Claude Haiku 4.5, Grok Code Fast 1, Raptor mini, or GPT-4 Turbo

Medium complexity (feature implementation, standard algorithms):
→ Use GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4, Gemini 3 Flash, or o1-mini

High complexity (architecture, complex algorithms, critical systems):
→ Use GPT-5.2, Claude Sonnet 4.5, GPT-5, or o1-preview

Maximum quality (mission-critical, highest stakes):
→ Use Claude Opus 4.5, GPT-5.2, or o1-preview

Code-specific optimization:
→ Use GPT-5.2-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex-Max, or GPT-5-Codex

Advanced reasoning:
→ Use o1-preview or o1-mini

2. Optimize for Premium Request Usage

Models with 0x multiplier (unlimited usage):

  • Grok Code Fast 1
  • Raptor mini

Most efficient models (low multipliers):

  • Claude Haiku 4.5 (0.33x)
  • Gemini 3 Flash (0.33x)
  • GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini (0.33x)

Standard models (1x multiplier):

  • Claude Sonnet 4/4.5
  • GPT-5, GPT-5.1, GPT-5.2
  • GPT-4o
  • GPT-5-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex-Max, GPT-5.2-Codex
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 3 Pro

Premium models (use strategically):

  • Claude Opus 4.5 (3x)

Pro tip: Start with 0x multiplier models (Grok, Raptor mini) for unlimited daily work, use 0.33x models for efficient high-volume tasks, and reserve 3x models for critical challenges.

3. Speed vs. Quality Trade-off Strategy

Prototyping phase:

  • Primary: Claude Haiku 4.5, Grok Code Fast 1, or GPT-4 Turbo
  • Alternative: Raptor mini or Gemini 3 Flash

Implementation phase:

  • Primary: GPT-4o or Claude Sonnet 4
  • Alternative: GPT-5.1-Codex or GPT-5

Refinement phase:

  • Primary: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-5.2
  • Alternative: GPT-5.2-Codex or o1-mini

Review phase:

  • Primary: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-4o
  • Alternative: GPT-5.2 or o1-preview

Reasoning phase:

  • Primary: o1-preview
  • Alternative: o1-mini or GPT-5.2

4. Language and Framework Recommendations

Python/JavaScript/TypeScript:

  • Any model works well
  • Use GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1 for daily work
  • Use Claude Sonnet 4.5 for quality-critical code

Rust/Go/Modern languages:

  • GPT-5.2 or Claude Sonnet 4.5 for advanced features
  • Claude Haiku 4.5 for standard patterns
  • o1-preview for complex algorithms

Legacy or niche languages:

  • GPT-5.2 or Claude Opus 4.5 for best understanding
  • Claude Sonnet 4.5 for careful, conservative suggestions

Code-heavy tasks:

  • GPT-5.2-Codex for optimization
  • GPT-5.1-Codex-Max for complex code generation
  • GPT-5-Codex for cutting-edge approaches

Mathematical/algorithmic tasks:

  • o1-preview for complex reasoning
  • o1-mini for efficient problem-solving

5. Model Updates & New Additions

New Models to Explore:

  • GPT-4o - Optimized GPT-4 for balanced performance
  • GPT-4 Turbo - Speed-focused GPT-4 variant
  • GPT-5 series - Next-generation capabilities
  • o1-preview & o1-mini - Advanced reasoning models
  • Grok Code Fast 1 - xAI’s unlimited usage alternative

Key Changes:

  • GPT-4o and GPT-4 Turbo provide optimized GPT-4 experiences
  • GPT-5 series offers cutting-edge capabilities
  • o1 models bring specialized reasoning abilities
  • Grok provides unlimited usage alternative
  • Expanded Codex variants for code-specific tasks

Pro tip: Experiment with new models in non-critical work to understand their strengths before using them in production.

6. Cost Optimization Workflow

Daily development routine:

  1. Active typing: Claude Haiku 4.5 (0.33x) or Grok Code Fast 1 (0x)
  2. Feature implementation: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1 (0x)
  3. Complex logic: Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x) or o1-mini
  4. Code review: Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x) or GPT-4o
  5. Critical issues: Claude Opus 4.5 (3x) or o1-preview - use sparingly

Budget-conscious approach:

  • Use 0x models (Grok Code Fast 1, Raptor mini) as default
  • Use low-multiplier models (Haiku, Gemini Flash, Codex-Mini) for high-volume tasks
  • Reserve 1x+ models for important work
  • Use 3x models only for critical challenges

Pro tip: With Grok Code Fast 1 and Raptor mini at 0x, you can do unlimited coding without any premium request concerns.

7. Multimodal Capabilities

Models supporting images:

  • Gemini 3 Flash
  • Gemini 3 Pro
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro
  • GPT-4o (check documentation)
  • Select other models (check documentation)

Use cases:

  • Screenshot of UI mockups → Generate HTML/CSS
  • Error message screenshots → Debug issues
  • Diagram images → Explain architecture
  • Code screenshots → Analyze and improve
  • Design mockups → Implement interfaces

Pro tip: Leverage multimodal capabilities when working with visual elements—it can significantly speed up UI development and debugging.

8. Team Collaboration Guidelines

Establish team standards:

Decision Tree for Model Selection:

Is it a security-critical feature?
  → Yes: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or Claude Opus 4.5
  → No: Continue...

Is it a complex reasoning/algorithmic task?
  → Yes: o1-preview or o1-mini
  → No: Continue...

Is it a complex architectural decision?
  → Yes: GPT-5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, or o1-preview
  → No: Continue...

Is it code-specific optimization?
  → Yes: GPT-5.2-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex-Max, or GPT-5-Codex
  → No: Continue...

Is it boilerplate or repetitive?
  → Yes: Claude Haiku 4.5, Grok Code Fast 1, or Raptor mini
  → No: Continue...

Is budget/usage a concern?
  → Yes: Grok Code Fast 1 or Raptor mini (0x)
  → No: GPT-4o or Claude Sonnet 4

Default: Grok Code Fast 1 or GPT-4o

9. IDE-Specific Considerations

Visual Studio Code:

  • All models available
  • Use “Auto” mode for intelligent selection
  • Can add custom models via AI Toolkit
  • Great support for all model families

JetBrains IDEs:

  • Full model support
  • Requires Copilot plugin 1.5.61+ for latest Codex models
  • Excellent integration with reasoning models

Visual Studio:

  • Comprehensive model support
  • Great for .NET development with any model
  • Strong support for GPT and Claude models

Xcode:

  • All models supported
  • Requires plugin 0.45.0+ for latest features
  • Good for Swift/iOS development

Eclipse:

  • Full support available
  • Requires plugin 0.13.0+ for latest models
  • Works well with all model families

10. Prompt Engineering by Model Family

For Claude models:

  • Be explicit about requirements and constraints
  • Ask for explanations when needed (especially Sonnet/Opus)
  • Request “best practices” or “secure implementation”
  • Works well with structured, detailed prompts
  • Emphasize code quality and maintainability

For GPT models:

  • More conversational prompts work well
  • Good at inferring intent from context
  • Effective with iterative refinement
  • Handles ambiguous requests better
  • GPT-4o excels at balanced tasks

For o1 models:

  • Frame problems as reasoning tasks
  • Break down complex problems into steps
  • Ask for analytical thinking
  • Request mathematical or logical explanations
  • Best for step-by-step problem solving

For Gemini models:

  • Leverage multimodal capabilities
  • Provide visual context when available
  • Good for creative problem-solving
  • Works well with images and code together

For Grok:

  • Direct, straightforward prompts
  • Focus on efficiency
  • Good for quick iterations
  • Works well with high-volume requests

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Building a New REST API

  1. Architecture planning: GPT-5.2, o1-preview, or Claude Sonnet 4.5
  2. Route scaffolding: Claude Haiku 4.5, Grok Code Fast 1, or GPT-4 Turbo
  3. Business logic: Claude Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4o, or GPT-5.1-Codex
  4. Input validation & security: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or Claude Opus 4.5
  5. Tests: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1
  6. Documentation: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-4o
  7. Performance optimization: GPT-5.2-Codex or GPT-5.1-Codex-Max

Estimated premium usage: ~8-12 requests (mix of 0x and 1x models)

Scenario 2: Debugging Production Issue

  1. Initial investigation: GPT-5.2, GPT-4o, or Claude Sonnet 4.5
  2. Understanding stack traces: GPT-5.2 or o1-mini
  3. Quick fixes: GPT-4o, Grok Code Fast 1, or Claude Haiku 4.5
  4. Root cause analysis: Claude Sonnet 4.5, o1-preview, or Claude Opus 4.5
  5. Verification: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-4o

Estimated premium usage: ~4-7 requests (mix of 0x and 1x)

Scenario 3: Rapid Prototyping

  1. Quick iterations: Claude Haiku 4.5, Grok Code Fast 1, or GPT-4 Turbo
  2. Core functionality: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1
  3. Edge cases: Claude Sonnet 4 or o1-mini
  4. Polish: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-4o

Estimated premium usage: ~2-4 requests (mostly 0x and low multipliers)

Scenario 4: Legacy Code Refactoring

  1. Understanding existing code: GPT-5.2, o1-preview, or Claude Opus 4.5
  2. Identifying improvements: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or o1-mini
  3. Implementing changes: Claude Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4o, or GPT-5.1-Codex
  4. Ensuring compatibility: Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-5.2
  5. Migration tests: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1

Estimated premium usage: ~7-11 requests (higher quality models)

Scenario 5: High-Volume Feature Development

  1. Boilerplate generation: Grok Code Fast 1 (0x) or Raptor mini (0x)
  2. Standard implementations: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1 (0x)
  3. Complex components: Claude Sonnet 4 (1x) or GPT-5.1-Codex (1x)
  4. Code review: Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x) or GPT-4o

Estimated premium usage: ~3-6 requests (optimized for volume with 0x models)

Scenario 6: Algorithm Design & Optimization

  1. Problem analysis: o1-preview or o1-mini
  2. Algorithm design: o1-preview or GPT-5.2
  3. Implementation: GPT-5.2-Codex or GPT-5.1-Codex-Max
  4. Optimization: GPT-5.2-Codex or o1-mini
  5. Testing: GPT-4o or Grok Code Fast 1

Estimated premium usage: ~6-10 requests (reasoning and code-specific models)

Performance Matrix

Task Type Speed Quality Efficiency Recommended Models
Boilerplate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Haiku 4.5, Grok, Raptor mini, GPT-4 Turbo
Feature Dev ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ GPT-4o, Sonnet 4, o1-mini
Complex Logic ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Sonnet 4.5, GPT-5.2, o1-preview
Code Review ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4o
Debugging ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ GPT-5.2, Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4o
Security ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Sonnet 4.5, Opus 4.5
Documentation ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4o
Prototyping ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Haiku 4.5, Grok, GPT-4 Turbo
Reasoning ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ o1-preview, o1-mini, GPT-5
Code Optimization ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ GPT-5.2-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex-Max
Multimodal ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gemini 3 Flash, Gemini 3 Pro, GPT-4o

Conclusion

The expanded model selection in GitHub Copilot for 2026 gives developers unprecedented control over their AI-assisted development workflow. With models ranging from unlimited usage (Grok at 0x, Raptor mini at 0x) to premium powerhouses (Claude Opus 4.5 at 3x), and specialized reasoning models (o1-preview, o1-mini), you can optimize for speed, quality, cost, or reasoning depth based on your specific needs.

Quick Reference Guide:

  • Need speed? → GPT-4 Turbo, Claude Haiku 4.5, or Grok Code Fast 1
  • Daily coding? → Grok Code Fast 1 or Raptor mini (0x multiplier—unlimited!)
  • Need quality? → Claude Sonnet 4.5 or GPT-4o
  • Complex problems? → GPT-5.2, o1-preview, or Claude Opus 4.5
  • Advanced reasoning? → o1-preview or o1-mini
  • Security-critical? → Claude Sonnet 4.5 or Claude Opus 4.5
  • Code optimization? → GPT-5.2-Codex or GPT-5.1-Codex-Max
  • Budget-conscious? → Grok Code Fast 1 or Raptor mini (unlimited!)
  • Prototyping? → GPT-4 Turbo, Claude Haiku 4.5, or Grok Code Fast 1
  • Production code? → GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4.5, or GPT-5.2
  • Balanced performance? → GPT-4o or Claude Sonnet 4
  • Multimodal tasks? → Gemini 3 Flash, Gemini 3 Pro, or GPT-4o

Key Takeaways:

  1. Use 0x multiplier models as your default (Grok Code Fast 1, Raptor mini) for unlimited usage
  2. GPT-4o provides excellent balance for production development
  3. o1 models excel at reasoning tasks requiring deep analysis
  4. Low multiplier models (Haiku, Gemini Flash, Codex-Mini) are perfect for high-volume work
  5. Reserve premium models (Opus 4.5) for truly critical challenges
  6. GPT-5 series offers cutting-edge capabilities for innovative work
  7. Switch models mid-task based on complexity—don’t stick to one default
  8. Leverage specialized models—use Codex variants for code-heavy tasks, o1 for reasoning
  9. Consider multimodal capabilities—Gemini models support images
  10. Monitor your usage—understand multipliers to optimize premium request consumption

Action Items:

  1. Explore GPT-4o as your balanced production model
  2. Try o1-preview for complex reasoning tasks
  3. Set Grok Code Fast 1 or Raptor mini as default for unlimited usage
  4. Set up quick-access shortcuts for your top 5-6 models
  5. Document team preferences and decision criteria
  6. Experiment with GPT-5 series for cutting-edge capabilities
  7. Use o1-mini for efficient reasoning tasks
  8. Track your premium usage patterns to optimize model selection
  9. Test GPT-4 Turbo for high-velocity development
  10. Leverage code-specific Codex variants for optimization work

The key to success is flexibility: match the model to the task, not the other way around. Start with unlimited models (Grok, Raptor mini) for daily work, use efficient models (Haiku, Gemini Flash) for high-volume tasks, leverage reasoning models (o1-preview, o1-mini) for complex analysis, escalate to premium models when quality matters, and always be ready to switch based on the challenge at hand.

To see actual code samples for all these latest Copilot models, you can check out my Github repo here. You can check out all the present models with their corresponding observations notes I have prepared them for so you can take note of their differences.

Hope these will be helpful for you.

Till next time, Happy Coding!

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