OpenAI rolls out two GPT-5.1 models this week; legacy GPT-5 stays three months
OpenAI is nudging its flagship ChatGPT service onto a new version of its large‑language model just days after announcing GPT‑5.1. The upgrade promises a “warmer” tone and a broader set of personality presets, a tweak that hints at the company’s focus on making interactions feel more customized. While the move signals a fresh iteration, it also raises the question of how long users will retain access to the previous generation.
OpenAI has placed the older GPT‑5 variants behind a legacy‑models dropdown, giving subscribers a limited window to experiment before the older code disappears. This rollout comes amid a broader pattern of incremental model releases that balance novelty with continuity. For anyone watching the evolution of conversational AI, the timing and mechanics of the switch are worth noting.
The two new models will start rolling out to ChatGPT users this week, and the old GPT-5 models will be available for three months in ChatGPT's legacy models dropdown menu before they disappear. As part of the update, OpenAI also said it would expand its personality presets for the conversational ton.
The two new models will start rolling out to ChatGPT users this week, and the old GPT-5 models will be available for three months in ChatGPT's legacy models dropdown menu before they disappear. As part of the update, OpenAI also said it would expand its personality presets for the conversational tone of the models. The total list of options now includes Default, Professional, Friendly, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Nerdy, and Cynical, per the company's blog post.
OpenAI also said in a release that it would also debut an "experiment for new ways to fine-tune ChatGPT's style directly from settings," which some users will begin to be able to access this week. "With more than 800 million people using ChatGPT, we're well past the point of one-size-fits-all," Fidji Simo, the company's CEO of Applications, wrote in a Wednesday Substack post. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hyped up the announce of GPT-5 in August, the release failed the hype test.
Many ChatGPT users were left unimpressed, particularly at the incremental improvements, and expressed frustration over OpenAI's choice to make it the default model for ChatGPT. There was so much pressure that OpenAI decided it would bring back GPT-4o as an option, a day after the launch of GPT-5. Microsoft, OpenAI's strategic AI partner, has also increasingly been looking at rival models from Anthropic after GPT-5 failed to raise the bar enough.
Anthropic's models are now helping power Copilot Researcher, GitHub Copilot, Copilot Studio, and a new Office Agent that is able to produce Word and PowerPoint documents from Microsoft's own Copilot chat interface. The announcement of GPT-5.1 comes just weeks after OpenAI launched its AI-powered web browser, ChatGPT Atlas.
Will the added tones change how users interact with ChatGPT? OpenAI says the freshly released GPT‑5.1 is “warmer” and offers eight personality presets—Default, Professional, Friendly, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Nerdy and Cynical—so users can toggle the conversational style they prefer. The company frames the update as an “upgrade” that makes ChatGPT smarter and more enjoyable to talk to. The two GPT‑5.1 models begin rolling out to ChatGPT users this week, while the older GPT‑5 versions remain accessible for three months in the legacy models dropdown before they disappear.
Because the rollout is immediate, early adopters will be the first to test the new presets, yet it is unclear whether the expanded options will materially affect user satisfaction or task performance. OpenAI’s description suggests a focus on personality rather than core capability shifts, but no performance metrics accompany the announcement. As the legacy models phase out, developers and power users will need to decide whether to migrate to GPT‑5.1 or wait for further updates. The practical impact of the “warmer” label remains to be observed.
Further Reading
- OpenAI Research | Release - OpenAI
- Introducing GPT-5 - OpenAI - OpenAI
- OpenAI's GPT-5.1 Model Just Leaked (Polaris Alpha Explained) - Universe of AI (YouTube)
Common Questions Answered
When will the two new GPT-5.1 models become available to ChatGPT users?
The two GPT-5.1 models start rolling out to ChatGPT users this week. OpenAI is deploying them gradually, so most active users should see the update within the next few days.
How long will the older GPT-5 models remain accessible in the legacy‑models dropdown?
OpenAI has announced that the legacy GPT-5 variants will stay available for three months. After that period, they will be removed from the dropdown menu and no longer accessible to users.
What new personality presets does GPT-5.1 introduce and how can users select them?
GPT-5.1 expands the conversational tone options to eight presets: Default, Professional, Friendly, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Nerdy, and Cynical. Users can toggle between these presets directly within the ChatGPT interface to customize the model’s style.
What does OpenAI mean by describing GPT-5.1 as a “warmer” model?
OpenAI characterizes GPT-5.1 as “warmer” because it adopts a more friendly and engaging tone compared to previous versions. This shift aims to make interactions feel more personalized and enjoyable for a broader range of users.