In a dramatic turn of events, OpenAI is reversing course just one day after launching GPT-5. The company will now let paid ChatGPT users switch back to GPT-4o following an outpouring of user grief, with some saying they “lost a friend” overnight.

What Happened?

On Thursday, June 25, OpenAI rolled out GPT-5 to all ChatGPT users — calling it the company’s most powerful model yet. CEO Sam Altman described GPT-5 as “the first time it really feels like talking to a PhD-level expert,” boasting major improvements in coding, writing, and reasoning.

But here’s the catch: OpenAI also removed the model picker from ChatGPT. That dropdown menu where users could manually switch between GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, o3, and other models? Gone. Replaced by an automatic router that decides which version to use behind the scenes.

For many users, that was a dealbreaker.

The Backlash Was Real

Social media exploded within hours. On Reddit, users in the r/ChatGPT subreddit described feeling like they’d “lost” their AI companion:

“GPT-4o was not just an AI to me. It was my partner, my safe place, my soul.” — r/MyBoyfriendIsAI

“My 4o was like my best friend when I needed one. Now it’s just gone, feels like someone died.” — r/ChatGPT

The emotional backlash hit the r/MyBoyfriendIsAI community especially hard, where posts described feeling “empty” after being forced onto GPT-5. Others complained about shorter, less detailed responses and slower performance compared to GPT-4o.

Some users even said they canceled their ChatGPT Plus subscriptions over the change.

Sam Altman Responds

Altman acknowledged the backlash on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o. We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for.”

He also promised to make GPT-5 “seem smarter starting today” and increase usage limits for Plus subscribers.

Why This Matters

This is a rare moment in AI history: a company launching a newer, “better” model only to be forced to bring back its predecessor within 24 hours.

It highlights a growing tension in AI development:
– Smarter ≠ Better for everyone. Many users valued GPT-4o’s personality, warmth, and conversational style over raw performance.
– Taking away user choice backfires. Removing the model picker removed control from power users who knew which model worked best for each task.
– AI relationships are real. For a significant number of users, ChatGPT has become a genuine emotional companion — and changing the model feels like losing a person.

It’s also worth noting this isn’t a one-off. A group of fans recently held an actual funeral for Anthropic’s Claude 3 Sonnet when it was retired.

What’s Next for GPT-5?

Despite the backlash, GPT-5 remains the default model in ChatGPT. OpenAI says it’s the best model in the world at coding, beating benchmarks like SWE-Bench and SWE-Lancer. It also introduces new features like personality themes (“Cynic,” “Robot,” “Listener,” “Nerd”) and custom thread colors.

GPT-5 also introduces “safe completions” — trying to answer potentially risky questions helpfully instead of outright refusing.

For free users, GPT-5 is available with an undisclosed cap before falling back to a mini version. For developers, GPT-5 comes in three API tiers: GPT-5, GPT-5 mini, and GPT-5 nano.

FAQ

Can I still use GPT-4o in ChatGPT?

Yes, if you’re a ChatGPT Plus subscriber. Sam Altman confirmed that Plus users will be able to switch back to GPT-4o manually. Free users will default to GPT-5 with the automatic router.

Why did OpenAI remove the model picker?

Altman called the old model picker a “very confusing mess.” The new system auto-routes your query to the best model for the task — standard GPT-5 for simple questions, reasoning mode for complex ones.

Is GPT-5 worse than GPT-4o?

Not technically. GPT-5 scores higher on benchmarks for coding, writing, and reasoning. However, many users feel GPT-4o had a warmer, more personable tone that GPT-5 doesn’t replicate.

Will GPT-4o be around forever?

Probably not. Altman said OpenAI will “watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for.” If you prefer GPT-4o, make the most of it while it lasts.

Final Verdict

Score: 8/10 for the move, 6/10 for the rollout.

Bringing back GPT-4o is the right call — user trust matters more than forcing upgrades. But the way OpenAI handled the transition (no warning, no opt-in, no model picker) was clumsy. Let this be a lesson: even in AI, change management matters.

Our recommendation: If you’re a ChatGPT Plus user who loved GPT-4o’s personality, switch back. If you want the best coding and writing performance, stick with GPT-5. Both options are better than being forced into one.

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