OpenAI rolls out two GPT-5.1 models this week; legacy GPT-5 stays three months
Just days after OpenAI rolled out GPT-5.1, it began shifting ChatGPT onto that fresh large-language model. The tweak claims a “warmer” tone and adds a few more personality presets - probably an effort to make chats feel a bit more personal. It does make me wonder how long we’ll still see the older version.
Right now the previous GPT-5 variants sit behind a legacy-models dropdown, giving subscribers a short window to play with them before they vanish. This kind of incremental release feels familiar for OpenAI, balancing something new with what’s already there. If you’re tracking conversational AI, the timing of this switch is something to keep an eye on.
The two new models should start appearing for ChatGPT users this week. Meanwhile, the old GPT-5 models will stick around in the legacy dropdown for about three months before they’re gone. OpenAI also mentioned it’s expanding the range of personality presets, so the chat tone might get a bit more varied.
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.
Do the new tones actually shift how people talk to ChatGPT? OpenAI says the just-released GPT-5.1 feels “warmer” and comes with eight personality presets - Default, Professional, Friendly, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Nerdy and Cynical - letting users pick a style that fits them. They present the change as an upgrade that should make the bot a bit sharper and more pleasant to chat with. This week the two GPT-5.1 models start appearing for ChatGPT users, while the older GPT-5 versions stay in the legacy dropdown for roughly three months before they vanish.
Because the rollout is happening now, early adopters will be the first to try the presets, but it’s still unclear whether the extra options will noticeably boost satisfaction or task results. OpenAI’s notes focus on personality tweaks rather than any big jump in capability, and they haven’t shared performance numbers. As legacy models phase out, developers and power users will have to decide: switch to GPT-5.1 now or wait for the next update. We’ll have to see if the “warmer” label translates into anything tangible.
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)
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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.