Anthropic launches Claude Haiku 4.5, a smaller, cheaper AI model

Anthropic has officially introduced Claude Haiku 4.5, a compact and cost-effective artificial intelligence model that aims to enhance accessibility for its users. This new model boasts impressive speed and efficiency, often outperforming larger, previously leading models within just a few months of their release. According to Anthropic, Claude Haiku 4.5 shows significant improvements in computer utilization compared to its predecessor, Claude Sonnet 4, which was launched earlier this year. Performance evaluations from SWE-bench Verified indicate that Haiku 4.5 matches the coding capabilities of both Claude Sonnet 4 and OpenAI's latest offering, GPT-5. "It punches way above its weight," remarked Mike Krieger, Anthropic's Chief Product Officer, during a conversation with CNBC. This latest model has become the default choice for Anthropic's free users and represents the most affordable option for those on a paid plan. Anthropic, known for its line of large language models named Claude, categorizes its models into three tiers: Haiku for the smallest, Sonnet for midsized, and Opus for the largest. The launch of Claude Haiku 4.5 follows closely on the heels of the releases of Claude Sonnet 4.5 in September and Claude Opus 4.1 in August, with plans for another model, likely an updated Opus, anticipated by early next year. For subscribers, Haiku models are priced approximately one-third lower than Sonnet models, while Sonnet models cost about one-fifth of Opus models. Free users still have the option of using Claude Sonnet 4.5; however, they may find Claude Haiku 4.5 more efficient due to its smaller size, as Krieger noted. Krieger also mentioned that even though Claude Sonnet 4.5 remains Anthropic's top-performing model, Haiku 4.5 is becoming a favorite for quick, accurate responses, especially on mobile platforms. The two models can operate in tandem, with Sonnet 4.5 capable of formulating multi-step strategies to address complex problems while Haiku 4.5 executes specific tasks. This parallel operation could prove invaluable for businesses seeking to employ AI for extensive projects. "You could have Haiku monitoring financial streams of data, and its smaller and faster design allows it to handle a higher volume of information, passing initial insights to Sonnet for deeper analysis," Krieger explained. As a key player in the AI landscape, Anthropic, valued at $183 billion, serves over 300,000 business clients and ranks fourth on CNBC's 2025 Disruptor 50 list. The company is racing to keep pace with formidable rivals like Google and OpenAI, which recently reached a staggering valuation of $500 billion. The swift evolution of the AI industry leaves little room for complacency; while training for Claude Sonnet 4.5 was underway, work on Haiku 4.5 had already begun. "We're really firing on all cylinders," said Krieger, emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation.