When was DeepSeek-V3 released?
DeepSeek-V3 was announced on December 25, 2024, according to DeepSeek’s official news page. That page is titled “Introducing DeepSeek-V3” and displays the date December 25, 2024. (deepseek.com)
The date also fits the contemporary reporting: TechCrunch said the model was released “on Wednesday,” while its article is dated December 26, 2024. December 25, 2024 was a Wednesday. The official announcement resolves the apparent mismatch between the reported weekday and the article’s later publication date. (api-docs.deepseek.com)
Does the release date mean DeepSeek-V3 is available for production API use now?
No. A historical launch date does not establish present-day API availability or whether a model fits your production workload. DeepSeek’s current API quick-start lists deepseek-flash and deepseek-v4-pro as model choices; don’t assume the original V3 is currently offered through that API just because it launched with API compatibility. Check the provider’s current model list and documentation before choosing a model for production. (api-docs.deepseek.com)
The date above is the date on DeepSeek’s official launch announcement. The sources do not establish an exact release time or timezone, or separately date the availability of model weights and API access.
Sources
Introducing DeepSeek-V3 — DeepSeek
Introducing DeepSeek-V3 — DeepSeek API Docs
DeepSeek’s new AI model appears to be one of the best ‘open’ challengers yet — TechCrunch