REFERENCE · RESOLUTION
What each resolution really costs (and needs)
| Model | 480p | 720p | 1024/1080p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sora 2 / Pro | — | $0.10 / $0.30 | $0.50 (Pro) | — |
| Veo 3.1 family | — | $0.05–0.40 | included | Standard tier |
| Seedance 2.0 | $0.065 | $0.14 | upscale route | — |
| Kling 3.0 | — | base credits | 2–3× credit burn | — |
Rates shown at each model's base tier, verified July 2026 from official vendor pricing pages and documentation. Vendors change prices without notice — see methodology.
What each platform actually needs
Phone feeds (TikTok, Reels, Shorts): 720p is invisible from 1080p after platform compression — paying resolution premiums for vertical social is the most common silent overspend. YouTube on TV screens: 1080p matters for full-screen viewing. Client/broadcast work: deliverable specs decide, not taste — that's where Veo's 4K earns its rate.
The two-resolution workflow
Draft at the lowest tier your model offers (Seedance's 480p at $0.065/s is the market's best drafting rate), lock the shot, render the keeper at delivery resolution. Since retakes happen at draft prices, this typically halves effective cost versus generating at final resolution throughout — the same logic as tactic #1, applied vertically.
Run your own numbers. The cost calculator applies your clip length, resolution and a realistic retake buffer across every model at once.