OpenAI o4-mini and OpenAI Codex Mini, side by side

OpenAI o4-mini (OpenAI) and OpenAI Codex Mini (OpenAI, retired Feb 2026) answered the same 10 questions.

1. Xbox controller
   OpenAI o4-mini: A drawing (SVG)
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A drawing (SVG)
2. Pelican on a bicycle
   OpenAI o4-mini: A drawing (SVG)
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A drawing (SVG)
3. Surprise animal
   OpenAI o4-mini: A drawing (SVG)
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A drawing (SVG)
4. World map
   OpenAI o4-mini: A drawing (SVG)
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A drawing (SVG)
5. Catan board
   OpenAI o4-mini: A web page: Interactive Hex Grid
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A web page: Interactive Hex Grid
6. A web app of its choosing
   OpenAI o4-mini: A web page: HydroTracker - Daily Water Intake
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A web page: Expense Tracker Web App
7. Pokémon battle
   OpenAI o4-mini: A web page
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A web page: Pokémon Battle UI
8. Retro desktop
   OpenAI o4-mini: A web page
   OpenAI Codex Mini: A web page: Classic Mac OS UI Demo
9. Five jokes
   OpenAI o4-mini: Here are five jokes: 1. I used to be addicted to soap, but I'm clean now. 2. Parallel lines have so much in common. It's a shame they'll never meet. 3…
   OpenAI Codex Mini: Sure—here are five jokes: 1. I asked the librarian if books about paranoia were available. She whispered, "They're right behind you." 2. Why did the t…
10. Stand-up routine
    OpenAI o4-mini: Hey, everybody! Great to be here. Let's talk about the most important relationship in my life—coffee. I'm not just addicted; I have a daily ritual tha…
    OpenAI Codex Mini: [Comedian walks onstage] Hey, everyone! Great to see you all tonight. I'm Jamie—if you thought that intro was enthusiastic, you should've seen me when…