OpenAI GPT-5.1 Officially Released: A Gentler, Smarter Answering Tone That Surpasses GPT-4o
After OpenAI released GPT-5, many users said they wanted to go back to GPT-4o because it felt more human and warm. Now OpenAI has officially launched the GPT-5.1 series — the new versions answer in a gentler, smarter tone and follow user instructions much better, fully resolving the earlier complaints.
GPT-5.1 includes two main models:
- GPT-5.1 Instant: the most popular general-purpose model — now warmer and smarter, responding better to your instructions. Ideal for everyday chats and quick queries.
- GPT-5.1 Thinking: a model focused on advanced reasoning — faster on simple tasks, with greater stamina and deeper understanding on complex ones.
GPT-5.1 Pro isn't available yet, but it's expected to roll out to select regions soon. Meanwhile, GPT-5 and GPT-4o have moved to the legacy models category — you can still pick them in settings to ensure compatibility.
Looking back at GPT-5's initial release in August 2025, performance improved across the board, but the answering style turned cold and less human, sparking global calls to bring back classics like GPT-4o and o3. In the end, OpenAI introduced the "legacy models" option, letting users freely switch to older versions.
GPT-5 vs GPT-5.1 Responses: More Instruction-Following, More Human
The original GPT-5 often ignored instructions when users asked for brief replies, outputting long-winded content. GPT-5.1 Instant, by contrast, strictly follows instructions — concise responses with a warm, human touch that improve the interaction experience.
ChatGPT settings also add a new "Personalization" feature: click avatar -> Settings -> Personalization. You can adjust the answering style and tone to your taste for a customized chat experience.
Who Gets GPT-5.1 First? Paid Subscribers Upgrade Early
Starting November 12, 2025, OpenAI first pushed GPT-5.1 to paid users (Pro, Plus, Go, Business), then expanded to free and registered users. Business membership currently has an official discount — you can get it for a double-digit price, worth a try.
❝ Website for upgrading ChatGPT Plus and Business in China: https://gptplus.org.cn
It's worth noting that GPT-5 will be kept for three months in the legacy model dropdown for paid subscribers; after that, the old models may be removed. We recommend trying the new GPT-5.1 soon for smarter, gentler AI interactions.