Anthropic has launched its Claude 4 series, featuring two powerful models tailored for diverse needs: Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4. These models showcase significant advancements in AI capabilities as of May 2025, catering to both high-performance and cost-effective use cases.
🔍 About Claude 4
Claude Opus 4 is Anthropic’s flagship model, designed to handle the most challenging tasks with remarkable efficiency. It excels in areas such as complex coding projects, detailed long-form reasoning, and autonomous operations, where precision and depth are critical.
On industry benchmarks, Opus 4 has proven its superiority, achieving a score of 72.5% on SWE-bench for software engineering tasks and 43.2% on Terminal-bench for terminal-based problem-solving. These results place it ahead of competitors like GPT-4.1 and Gemini 2.5 Pro, making it a top choice for advanced applications.
Claude Sonnet 4: Affordable and Versatile for General Use
Meanwhile, Claude Sonnet 4 offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality. Built for general-purpose tasks, this model delivers enhanced performance in coding and reasoning, making it well-suited for a variety of scenarios, from business automation to educational support.
Its balance of capability and cost-efficiency ensures it meets the needs of users seeking reliable AI assistance for everyday tasks.
Key Features Enhancing Functionality
The Claude 4 series introduces several innovative features that elevate the user experience and broaden the models’ applicability across different domains.
Extended Thinking with Tool Use
Both models support a hybrid reasoning approach, allowing them to alternate between internal thought processes and external tools like web search. This capability enables Claude 4 to tackle complex problems more effectively by combining its own reasoning with up-to-date information from external sources.
Improved Memory Capabilities
When granted file access, Claude Opus 4 can create and reference memory files, a feature that enhances its ability to retain context during long interactions. This ensures consistency and coherence, especially in extended conversations or multi-step projects.
Enhanced Instruction Following
The models have been refined to better adhere to user instructions, minimizing the chances of misunderstanding or straying from the task. This improvement makes Claude 4 more reliable for users who need precise and accurate outputs.
Performance Comparison
| Model | SWE-bench Score | Terminal-bench Score | Notable Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 4 | 72.5% | 43.2% | Advanced coding, long-form reasoning |
| Claude Sonnet 4 | ~65% | ~35.5% | Cost-effective, general tasks |
| GPT-4.1 | ~54.6% | ~25–30% | Versatile language understanding |
| Gemini 2.5 Pro | ~63.2% | ~25–30% | Efficient performance, broad coverage |
From Anthropic
Claude Opus 4 leads in coding benchmarks, demonstrating superior performance in complex tasks compared to its peers.
✅ Get Started
Polite AI users can now access Claude 4 models without limitations.
This integration allows seamless switching between leading AI models like GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude 4 within the same workspace, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
👉 Take a try on PoliteAI.
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