OpenAI Introduces New ChatGPT Controls and Updates GPT-5 Access

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced new features and updates to ChatGPT, including the ability for users to choose between Auto, Fast, and Thinking modes for GPT-5.

“Most users will want Auto, but the additional control will be useful for some people,” Altman said in a post on X.

When OpenAI launched GPT-5, it introduced a unified system that includes a standard model for most questions, a deeper reasoning layer called GPT-5 Thinking for complex prompts, and a real-time router to select the appropriate approach. The router makes its choice based on the input type, complexity, and whether users explicitly request more intensive thinking.

The update also introduces new rate limits for GPT-5 Thinking — 3,000 messages per week, after which users will have additional capacity on GPT-5 Thinking mini. The context limit for GPT-5 Thinking is set at 196,000 tokens. Altman noted that these limits “may have to update over time depending on usage.”

Model availability has also changed. GPT-4o is now back in the model picker for all paid users by default. A “Show additional models” toggle in ChatGPT web settings allows access to models such as o3, 4.1, and GPT-5 Thinking Mini. GPT-4.5 remains available only to Pro users due to high GPU costs.

Altman said OpenAI is also “working on an update to GPT-5’s personality” to make it feel warmer, adding that the company aims to move towards “more per-user customisation of model personality.”