OpenAI launches GPT‑5.1 with customizable tone, conciseness and emoji settings
When OpenAI rolled out GPT-5.1, the headline wasn’t just “bigger model” - it was “customizable tone, conciseness and emoji settings.” That wording hints at a subtle shift: instead of chasing raw scores, they’re giving us knobs to turn. GPT-5 already felt pretty slick at generating text, but the new version seems to let each user tweak how friendly or terse the replies feel, even how often a smiley pops up. I guess the idea is to let a brand sound like its own voice, or let a casual chat stay casual.
It’s probably true that many people care about style as much as factual correctness, though it’s hard to say how big that demand really is. The controls let you dial up warmth, cut down on length, or sprinkle emojis - all without breaking the underlying improvements OpenAI made to the model. Below, a quote shows exactly what those sliders look like in practice and how they mesh with the engine’s upgrades.
You can adjust how concise or warm the responses are, decide how often emojis appear, and even let ChatGPT suggest tone changes automatically when it notices your preferences. GPT-5.1 builds on what GPT-5 started, refining both performance and user experience. The model feels more capable, more consistent, and more adaptable to different needs.
It follows instructions better, understands tone more naturally, and gives users greater control through personalization. The return of the distinct reasoning mode also shows that OpenAI is listening to feedback and adjusting its approach. While it is not a complete overhaul, GPT-5.1 is a thoughtful upgrade that bridges the gap between speed, intelligence, and usability.
Will GPT-5.1 finally win over the folks who felt short-changed by the last rollout? OpenAI says the new model brings back the deep-thinking mode that disappeared when the o-series was retired, and it’s a bit faster too. Simple prompts get answered in a flash; tougher questions get a slower, more thoughtful reply.
On top of that, users can now tweak how brief or warm a response feels, pick how many emojis show up, and even let the system suggest tone shifts on its own. The company frames the change as a polish of GPT-5’s performance and overall feel, promising smoother chats. Still, the earlier drop of the o-series caused a fair amount of grumbling, and it’s unclear whether the new knobs will fully quiet those complaints.
The “more capable” vibe comes from a handful of anecdotal impressions, no large-scale tests have been released yet. As with any incremental update, the real test will be whether the promised flexibility actually shows up day-to-day for developers and end users.
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Common Questions Answered
What new personalization features does GPT‑5.1 introduce compared to GPT‑5?
GPT‑5.1 adds customizable settings for tone, conciseness, and emoji frequency, allowing users to shape how warm or brief responses feel. It also offers automatic tone‑shift suggestions based on detected user preferences, enhancing the interaction experience.
How does GPT‑5.1 handle response speed for different types of prompts?
For straightforward prompts, GPT‑5.1 replies almost instantly, delivering rapid answers. More complex queries trigger a slower, more deliberate processing mode to ensure thorough and accurate responses.
In what way does GPT‑5.1 restore the 'deep‑thinking' ability that was lost in earlier o‑series models?
OpenAI states that GPT‑5.1 reintroduces deep‑thinking capabilities by improving its reasoning pathways, which were diminished when the o‑series models were retired. This enhancement allows the model to handle nuanced, multi‑step problems more effectively.
Can users rely on GPT‑5.1 to follow instructions more accurately than its predecessor?
Yes, GPT‑5.1 is designed to follow instructions better, interpreting tone cues naturally and adhering to user‑specified constraints like conciseness. This results in more consistent and adaptable outputs across varied use cases.
What role do emoji settings play in the user experience of GPT‑5.1?
Emoji settings let users control how often emojis appear in responses, adding a layer of expressive customization. By adjusting this frequency, users can make interactions feel more informal or professional according to their preferences.