OpenAI Reinstates GPT-4o Amidst User Demands
On Tuesday, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced that GPT-4o has made its return to ChatGPT following strong user demand after its removal during the GPT-5 launch. With its reappearance, GPT-4o is now accessible in the model picker for all paid ChatGPT users, including ChatGPT Plus accounts. This decision comes after a significant outcry from thousands of users who expressed their dissatisfaction with losing their favorite AI models.
OpenAI removed the previous AI models from ChatGPT during the launch of GPT-5 on August 7, as part of an effort to streamline its offerings. However, the move incited one of the largest user revolts in ChatGPT's history, with a Reddit thread titled 'GPT-5 is horrible' amassing over 2,000 comments almost immediately.
In response to this backlash, Altman acknowledged that OpenAI underestimated the importance of certain features in GPT-4o that users valued. As a result, additional adjustments have been implemented. OpenAI increased rate limits for GPT-5 from 200 to 3,000 messages per week, with more capacity through 'GPT-5 Thinking mini' after this limit. New routing options—'Auto,' 'Fast,' and 'Thinking'—are also introduced, providing users greater control over their queries.
For Pro users, paying $200 per month, further customization will soon be available with additional models o3, 4.1, and GPT-5 Thinking mini through an adjustable settings toggle. However, GPT-4.5 remains exclusive to Pro subscribers due to high GPU costs.
Beyond the outcry over model availability, there was also criticism about GPT-5's output, which users described as abrupt compared to GPT-4o's conversational tone. Some users expressed a sense of loss over what they considered their virtual companion.
Altman has committed to improving GPT-5's personality to make it feel warmer without the complaints associated with GPT-4o. The launch of GPT-5 faced several other issues, including a faulty automatic routing system and misleading performance graphs during the presentation.
As OpenAI works to refine GPT-5, rate limits and personality updates remain under consideration, ensuring that ChatGPT's users can choose their preferred model while balancing innovation with user preferences.
