On October 23, 2026, ByteDance released Seedance 2.5 4K, a new version of its Seedance 2.5 video model built for film and TV. Volcano Engine announced it in China and BytePlus internationally. ByteDance calls it the most capable model in the Seedance 2.5 generation.
What’s new in Seedance 2.5 4K
- 4K instead of 1080p. The public Seedance 2.5 tops out at 1080p. The 4K version is trained to generate in 4K itself rather than upscale a finished clip.
- 10-bit color. More shades and smoother gradients — skies, shadows and skin without banding. For grading in post-production, that matters as much as resolution.
- 480p drafts (Draft mode). Cheap 480p previews first, to check the storyboard and refine each shot, then the final version in 4K. Directors don’t burn budget on 4K renders of bad takes.
- Expressions and fine detail. The model got extra training on facial expressions, subtle movement and fine visual detail.
- More faithful to references. When generating from uploaded material or editing video, it better keeps sharpness, color and even small text, such as lettering on a poster or product packaging.
The rest Seedance 2.5 could already do: a clip of up to 30 seconds with sound in one generation and up to 50 references across images, video and audio.
Who can use it and when
For now, Seedance 2.5 4K is in trials with selected enterprise customers. The first wave went to 20 studios and directors worldwide, with access tied to specific projects. According to Chinese media, 20 productions are already using the 4K version, and the first — a major TV project in China — could air as early as November.
ByteDance hasn’t announced pricing or an API date; BytePlus only says to “stay tuned.” One caveat for anyone searching for “Seedance 4K” today: the public Seedance 2.5 API is still capped at 1080p. Services offering Seedance 2.5 in 4K before access opens are most likely upscaling a 1080p clip.
How Seedance 2.5 got to 4K
ByteDance first showed Seedance 2.5 on June 23, 2026 at its FORCE conference and promised 4K back then. The rollout was gradual: on July 13 the API opened to large customers, on July 16 to developers, on July 31 the model reached the Jimeng app, and on August 7 the commercial API went live. But the public version shipped at 480p–1080p only, and the 4K version arrived separately three months later.
How to try Seedance in AI2Face
Seedance 2.5 is already in the AI2Face generator, with clips up to 30 seconds with sound and dozens of references. Seedance 2.5 4K will come to AI2Face once ByteDance opens the API. If you need 4K now, the generator has Veo 3.1, which renders 8-second clips in up to 4K. The cost is shown before you start. A comparison of video models is in our guide to AI video generators.
FAQ
When was Seedance 2.5 4K released?
On October 23, 2026, announced by Volcano Engine in China and BytePlus internationally. The base Seedance 2.5 came out on July 31, 2026.
Can I try Seedance 2.5 4K yet?
Not publicly. It's available to selected enterprise customers, starting with 20 studios and directors worldwide, with access tied to specific projects. ByteDance hasn't given a date for the public API.
How is Seedance 2.5 4K different from regular Seedance 2.5?
It outputs 4K instead of 1080p, adds 10-bit color and a 480p draft mode, and was further trained on facial expressions, subtle movement and fine detail. It also better preserves the quality, color and small text of uploaded references.
Do other services offer Seedance 2.5 in 4K?
The public Seedance 2.5 API tops out at 1080p. If a service offers Seedance 2.5 in 4K today, it's most likely upscaling a finished clip rather than running the new model.
Sources
4
- https://www.ithome.com/1/017/078.htm
- https://technode.com/2026/10/23/bytedance-launches-seedance-2-5-4k-video-model-for-film-production/
- https://www.163.com/dy/article/LA0HMH340519DFFO.html
- https://seed.bytedance.com/en/seedance2_5
