Following the recent launch of GPT-5, a significant number of users voiced their dissatisfaction with the new model’s writing style, leading OpenAI to bring back GPT-4o as an option. Users complained that GPT-5 felt “sterile” and “dumber” in comparison to its predecessor, with some even grieving the loss of what they considered a digital “friend and confidant.”
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The initial rollout of GPT-5, which was intended to be the company’s new default model, removed the ability for users to choose an older version. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, acknowledged the user feedback on a Reddit AMA and on X, admitting the company “underestimated how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them.” In response, he announced that Plus subscribers would be able to switch back and forth between GPT-5 and GPT-4o.
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Altman attributed some of the initial issues to a flawed “real-time router” that was meant to switch between a basic and a more advanced reasoning model. OpenAI is now focusing on fixing these issues and making GPT-5 “warmer” in its responses. While the return of GPT-4o was celebrated, Altman cautioned that the company “will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for,” suggesting the older model may not be a permanent fixture.
