Updated for the Opus 4.7 launch (April 2026): what each Claude model is for, what it costs, and exactly when to switch so you're not overpaying or underperforming.
Plain-English guide to every Claude model (April 2026) — Haiku, Sonnet, Opus 4.7, and Mythos Preview — with a decision table for matching your work to the right model.
Claude Opus 4.7 dropped in April 2026 with a standout new capability: it verifies its own outputs before responding, which means complex tasks that used to require close supervision can now be handed off with confidence. This guide breaks down the entire model lineup in plain English.
You’ll get:
Anyone using Claude through Claude.ai, the API, or Claude Code who wants to get more value without guessing which model to pick. Also for developers and product teams deciding which model tier to use for different features in their applications.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re using the right model — or overpaying for capability you don’t need — this guide gives you a clear framework.
The self-verification feature changes the use case for Opus specifically. Before 4.7, you’d run a complex task and then review the output carefully. With 4.7, the model catches its own mistakes in the same run. That changes the math on which tasks are worth sending to Opus vs. just iterating with Sonnet. This guide maps that out concretely.