Interpreting the Sora 1 Sunset Plan: March 13 Retirement Timeline and a Complete Guide to Sora 2 Video API Billed by the Second

OpenAI has officially confirmed that Sora 1 will be deprecated in the US on March 13, 2026, with Sora 2 becoming the sole Sora experience. This article quickly breaks down the impact of this change on developers and creators, along with a complete guide to integrating the Sora 2 video generation API.

Core Value: In 3 minutes, you'll understand the Sora 1 deprecation timeline, content migration methods, and the complete second-by-second pricing and invocation methods for the Sora 2 API.

Quick Look: Key Information on Sora 1 Deprecation

Three Key Milestones for Sora 1 Deprecation

Milestone 1: Before March 13, 2026 (Current Phase)

This is the final content export window. If you've created video or image content on Sora 1, you must complete the export before this date. Export path: Sora web interface → Settings → Data Controls → Export data. The exported file will contain all content from Sora 1, Sora 2, and ChatGPT, sent as a compressed package to your registered email.

Milestone 2: March 13, 2026 (Official Deprecation)

Sora 1 will officially be deprecated in the US region. All links will automatically redirect to Sora 2. Sora 2 will become the sole experience on sora.com. OpenAI states they will provide a limited-time final export window after deprecation, notifying users via email at that time.

Milestone 3: After the Final Export Window Closes

Once the final export window closes, all content on Sora 1 will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you have important Sora 1 creations, make sure to back them up before this.

🎯 Action Recommended: Don't wait until the last minute. Log in to the Sora web interface now and export your content. If you encounter export issues, you can also request data download via the 'Make a Privacy Request' entry in the OpenAI Privacy Portal.

Why Sora 1 Was Retired: 5 Major Upgrades in Sora 2

OpenAI's official reason is that Sora 1 ran on older models and infrastructure, and maintaining two parallel experiences added unnecessary complexity. But the more crucial reason is that Sora 2 achieved a qualitative leap in multiple dimensions.

Core Upgrades in Sora 2 Compared to Sora 1

Sora 2 Audio Sync: The Biggest Breakthrough

Sora 1's biggest pain point was its complete lack of audio output—the generated videos were silent. Sora 2 completely solves this issue, supporting synchronized dialogue and sound effect generation. This means the generated videos can be used directly, without needing post-production voiceovers.

Sora 2 Physics Engine and Visual Consistency

Sora 1 often had issues like 'floating objects' and 'characters suddenly changing between different shots.' Sora 2 brings a qualitative improvement in both physics simulation and scene consistency, making the generated videos adhere more closely to real-world physics.

Sora 2 Cameo Feature

Sora 2's new Cameo feature lets users integrate their real-person likeness into AI-generated videos. You just need to complete a short video and audio recording in the app for identity verification and likeness capture, and then you can appear in any Sora scene.

Sora 2 Video API: A Detailed Look at Pay-Per-Second Billing

For developers, the Sora 2 API is the most crucial way to integrate. OpenAI offers a pay-per-second pricing model, and the APIYI platform supports direct access to the official Sora video API, also billed per second.

Official Sora 2 API Pricing Table

Invoking the Sora 2 Video API via APIYI

APIYI (apiyi.com) supports direct access to the official Sora video API, billed per second, with an interface format fully consistent with OpenAI's official API.

import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
    base_url="https://api.apiyi.com/v1"  # APIYI Sora 2 direct access interface
)

# Generate video
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="sora-2",
    messages=[
        {
            "role": "user",
            "content": "A golden retriever running on a beach at sunset, cinematic style, slow motion"
        }
    ]
)

print(response)

import openai
import time

client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
    base_url="https://api.apiyi.com/v1"  # APIYI unified interface
)

# Sora 2 Pro 1080p video generation
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="sora-2-pro",
    messages=[
        {
            "role": "user",
            "content": "A futuristic city skyline at night with flying cars, "
                       "neon lights reflecting on wet streets, "
                       "cinematic 1080p, 15 seconds"
        }
    ],
    extra_body={
        "resolution": "1080p",
        "duration": 15,
        "fps": 30
    }
)

# Video generation is an asynchronous process, requiring polling to get results
video_id = response.id
print(f"Video generation task submitted: {video_id}")
print(f"Estimated cost: 15 seconds × $0.50/sec = $7.50 (Sora 2 Pro 1080p)")

🚀 Quick Start: You can directly invoke the official Sora 2 API via APIYI (apiyi.com), billed per second. There's no need to handle OpenAI accounts or payment issues yourself. Just register to get an API key and start testing.

Sora 2 Video API Technical Parameters

Analysis of Sora 1 Discontinuation's Impact on Different User Groups

Impact on Casual Creators

Impact Level: Moderate

If you only use Sora occasionally to generate videos, this transition will be almost seamless. Sora 2 is superior to Sora 1 in every aspect, so you'll only get a better experience after switching. The only thing to note is to export any existing works from Sora 1 before March 13th.

Impact on Developers

Impact Level: API Changes Require Attention

If your application integrates the Sora 1 API, you'll need to pay attention to the interface migration. The Sora 2 API invocation method has changed, and the pricing model has shifted from the previous model to pay-per-second. The good news is that the Sora 2 API offers more powerful features, supporting higher resolutions and longer durations.

💡 Migration Advice: If your project is currently using the Sora video API, we recommend switching to the Sora 2 interface as soon as possible. By invoking it through the APIYI (apiyi.com) platform, you'll get an API experience consistent with OpenAI's official one, while also enjoying flexible pay-per-second pricing, which helps reduce migration costs.

Impact on Enterprise Users

Impact Level: Cost Re-evaluation Needed

Sora 2 Pro's 1080p video generation costs $0.50/second. For enterprises generating large volumes, costs will need to be re-evaluated. However, considering the significant improvements in video quality and features, the cost-effectiveness is actually higher.

Impact on Users Outside the US

Impact Level: Temporarily No Impact

If Sora 2 hasn't launched yet in your country or region, Sora 1 will remain available until Sora 2 is introduced locally. OpenAI hasn't announced a specific global rollout schedule yet, but they've stated that it will gradually expand to more countries and regions as Sora 2 is promoted.

Sora 2 Video API Use Cases and Cost Estimation

Typical Use Case Cost Comparison

Sora 2 Subscription Plans vs. Pay-per-second API Billing

For users of different scales, choosing between a subscription and API calls involves different optimal strategies:

• Low-frequency use (under 10 items/month): A ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/month) is more cost-effective, as it includes a certain allowance.
• Medium-frequency use (10-100 items/month): Pay-per-second API billing offers more flexibility, allowing for precise cost control.
• High-frequency use (100+ items/month): Pay-per-second API billing is the only option, and you can reduce costs by implementing bulk optimization strategies.

💰 Cost Optimization: By invoking the Sora 2 API via the APIYI apiyi.com platform with pay-per-second billing, you can precisely control the cost of each video generation. The platform supports flexible top-ups, making it suitable for small to medium-sized teams and individual developers who need to use it on demand.

Sora 1 Sunset: Frequently Asked Questions

Sora 1 Sunset and Sora 2 Video API Summary

Sora 1's retirement marks a significant iteration in OpenAI's video generation technology. While the sunset announcement might make some users uneasy, objectively, Sora 2 far surpasses Sora 1 in every aspect, including audio synchronization, physical simulation, visual consistency, and resolution. This is a comprehensive upgrade, not just a simple replacement.

3 Things You Need to Do Now:

1. Immediately Export Sora 1 Content — Complete this via Settings or the Privacy Portal before March 13th
2. Understand Sora 2's New Features — New capabilities like audio synchronization, Cameo, and multi-style generation are worth exploring
3. Evaluate API Migration Plans — If your application integrates the Sora API, switch to the Sora 2 interface as soon as possible

We recommend using the APIYI apiyi.com platform to call the official Sora 2 direct-transfer video API. It's billed by the second, offers interface compatibility, and is ready to use upon registration, making it a convenient choice for integrating Sora 2 video generation capabilities.

References

1. OpenAI Sora 1 Sunset FAQ: Official Retirement Notice

   • Link: help.openai.com/en/articles/20001071-sora-1-sunset-faq
   • Description: Sora 1 retirement timeline and content export guide

2. OpenAI Sora 2 Release Announcement: Official Feature Introduction

   • Link: openai.com/index/sora-2/
   • Description: Sora 2 core features and technical characteristics

3. Sora 2 API Pricing Guide: Per-Second Billing Details

   • Link: costgoat.com/pricing/sora
   • Description: Comprehensive Sora 2 API pricing calculator

4. Sora 2 vs Sora 1 Comparison Analysis: Technical Upgrade Deep Dive

   • Link: sider.ai/blog/ai-tools/sora-2-vs-sora-1
   • Description: Detailed feature comparison of both generations

📝 This article was written by the APIYI Team. For more AI video generation tutorials and API invocation guides, visit APIYI apiyi.com for the latest content and free trial credits.