India has emerged as the largest user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0 since its launch last week, OpenAI said on Thursday. But third-party data reviewed by TechCrunch showed a more measured global response, with overall growth limited, along with surges in some emerging markets.
ChatGPT Images 2.0, OpenAI’s latest image creation upgrade, is designed to handle more complex prompts and produce detailed visuals, including accurate text in multiple languages. The company’s early patterns suggest that users (especially in India, its largest market) are using it to create personal videos such as avatars, stylized portraits and fantasy-themed images.
The launch has resulted in a more mixed response globally, according to data shared with TechCrunch by Sensor Tower and Similar Web. According to Sensor Tower, ChatGPT’s app downloads have grown 11% per week since launch, but overall engagement growth has been minimal, with daily active users and sessions increasing only about 1%. Similar web data also showed limited growth in ChatGPT’s global web traffic, up approximately 1.6% week-over-week over the same period.
However, some emerging markets, including Pakistan, Vietnam, and Indonesia, saw dramatic spikes in ChatGPT app downloads, with up to 79% week-on-week growth during launch, according to Sensor Tower data.
Meanwhile, India remained a major source of activity during the launch. Sensor Tower estimates that ChatGPT was downloaded about 5 million times in India during its launch week, compared with about 2 million downloads in the U.S., but growth was minimal on a week-by-week basis. Similar web data also indicates limited growth in engagement, with daily active users in India increasing by about 3.4% week-on-week over the same period.
In India, early trends suggest that ChatGPT Images 2.0 is being used primarily as a form of self-expression. Rather than purely functional output, OpenAI says it’s creating studio-style portraits through everyday photography, social media-ready images, and imaginative visuals that put you at the center.
Early patterns also highlight how AI imaging tools are being adopted differently across markets. While India’s large user base drives overall volume, rapid surges in countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia indicate new user demand has been stronger in emerging markets since launch.
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The launch of OpenAI’s Image 2.0 comes amid increasing competition in AI image creation. Google’s early image-focused model, the original Nano Banana, also saw strong initial traction in India, indicating how the country has become an important market for image creation.
With the new release of ChatGPT images, OpenAI is pushing further improvements, including improved rendering of non-Latin text, including Hindi and Bengali, and a new “thinking” feature that allows you to refine output and generate multiple variations from a single prompt.
OpenAI said that in addition to stylized portraits and avatars, early Images 2.0 users in India are experimenting with a wider range of formats, from fantasy newspaper covers to tarot-style visuals and fashion moodboards. Users are also using the AI tool to restore old photos and create cinematic portrait collages, suggesting early patterns of more personal use, the company said.
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