GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) vs DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max)

GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) has the stronger current result: #16 at 2145.0 Elo and 87.97 overall, compared with DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) at #22, 2085.1 Elo, and 86.75 overall. Their 95% Elo confidence intervals overlap, so the exact ordering should be treated as uncertain (2104.90–2175.90 and 2037.20–2122.70). GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) has its clearest metric edges in Visual Cue Quality (88.55 versus 82.35) and Substance, Accuracy & Value (89.01 versus 85.23). DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) counters on Hook Strength (88.88 versus 87.69) and Tone & Voice Match (87.42 versus 86.80). At the measured run mix, GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) costs $0.363 per article versus $0.012 for DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max); DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) is the cheaper route. DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) is the open-weights option; GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) is closed. On the current automated evidence, GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) is the stronger default; DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) remains a defensible choice when its specific strengths, price, or deployment profile matter more than the headline rank.

Pick GPT-5.6 Sol (ultra) when you prioritize the stronger current board result, visual cue quality, and substance, accuracy & value.
Pick DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (max) when you prioritize hook strength, tone & voice match, open weights, and lower measured cost.