OpenAI has reached a new consumer milestone with the launch of its Sora video generation application. Released exclusively for iOS, the invite-only Sora app quickly ascended to the top spot among all free apps in the US App Store.
The high demand is driven by the advanced capabilities of the new Sora 2 model. This represents a significant technical advancement over the original Sora technology. OpenAI itself compares the resulting quality jump to the major progression observed between its foundational large language models, GPT-1 and GPT-3.5. Overall, it brings a true leap in visual fidelity and coherency for AI videos. Sora 2 is OpenAI’s answer to Veo 3, Google’s latest AI video model.
Why OpenAI’s Sora AI video app dominates iOS charts
Sora 2 allows users to create short videos from text descriptions. It also includes advanced features like synchronized human speech and sound effects that integrate directly with the visual content. This ability to combine detailed visuals with a high degree of audio synchronization is crucial. It moves the generated content closer to professional-grade output, eliminating a key pain point often found in earlier video AI tools.
The decision to release the app first on iOS is a key strategic move. It positions sophisticated AI video creation as a mainstream creative activity. Instead of requiring powerful desktop hardware or a complex web interface, the app’s mobile deployment pushes high-end generative AI into the hands of a broader user base. Sora’s rapid rise in the App Store rankings shows that the strategy was right.
Crucially, the app offers users significant control beyond simple text prompts. They can define the aesthetic of the video, choosing styles ranging from cinematic to animated or surreal. Users also have control over technical specifications, allowing them to adjust the aspect ratio, duration, and speed of the clip. Furthermore, the model allows for deep personalization. You can insert images of yourself and your friends into videos that can otherwise be highly imaginative or otherworldly.
The application also builds a social layer. It enables users to share their original clips and remix content created by others. The idea seems similar to Vibes, Meta’s new social feed for AI videos.
Invite-only
The only current barrier to entry is the invite-only status. Users must obtain a code to activate the app, a scarcity mechanism that has predictably fueled public activity on forums and social media platforms as people eagerly seek access. OpenAI began its initial rollout in the US and Canada, offering the service for free with generous usage limits, though access remains restricted to those with an invitation, subject to the company’s compute constraints.
Lastly, a higher-quality, experimental Sora 2 Pro model is also available to ChatGPT Pro users via the web.