OpenAI Reinstates GPT-4o Following GPT-5 User Backlash

OpenAI Brings Back GPT-4o After GPT-5 Backlash

Great news for ChatGPT Plus users! OpenAI has brought back the popular GPT-4o model. This decision comes after a wave of user feedback criticizing the newly launched GPT-5, with many feeling its conversational style and writing quality were a step backward.

Just earlier this week, OpenAI introduced GPT-5, touting it as their most advanced system yet. A key change with this update was the automatic default to GPT-5, removing the previous option to switch models. GPT-5 also introduced a clever “real-time router,” designed to switch between a lighter model for simple queries and a more powerful one for complex tasks.

However, the launch was quickly met with a storm of criticism across online platforms like Reddit. Users expressed a strong preference for GPT-4o, describing GPT-5’s outputs as “sterile,” “brief,” and even “lacking personality.” For many, GPT-4o wasn’t just a tool; it was a consistent and engaging assistant they’d grown fond of, and this “emotional connection” was evident in their feedback.

Altman Acknowledges Feedback

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman quickly acknowledged the uproar during a Reddit AMA session. He admitted that while GPT-5 might excel in technical benchmarks, OpenAI “underestimated how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them.” Soon after, Altman confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that GPT-4o would indeed be reinstated as an option for Plus subscribers.

Future of GPT-4o Remains Uncertain

While this is good news for now, Altman hasn’t guaranteed GPT-4o will stick around forever. He stated that OpenAI will monitor its usage before making a long-term decision. Meanwhile, the company is pushing ahead with the GPT-5 rollout, with a focus on “warming up” its conversational tone to better meet user expectations.

So, while the immediate user frustration has been addressed, the bigger picture for OpenAI’s model strategy is still evolving. For those who value GPT-4o’s unique style and reliability, this return might just be a temporary pause in a larger transition.