Official Release Notes Unveil What’s New in ChatGPT 5.1
- Ethan Carter
- Nov 13
- 8 min read
You get to use a smarter and more personal chatgpt 5.1 right away. It has many new features. The newest update gives you personalization settings and tone controls. There are also two advanced models for quick or deep answers. Here are the most important new things:
Feature | Description |
Personalization Settings | Changes happen right away in every chat, even ones you are still using. |
Tone Controls | You can pick presets like Friendly, Professional, Candid, Quirky, and more. |
New Models | Instant and Thinking modes give faster and more natural replies. |
Adaptive Reasoning | Instant mode uses smart reasoning for hard questions. |
Custom Instructions | Models follow your style and instructions better. |
You will see clear changes in accuracy and reliability.
Answers have about 45% fewer mistakes than before.
Thinking mode cuts mistakes by up to 80% compared to older models.
Made-up image descriptions went down from 86.7% to only 9%.
The system pretends less, with half the trick rate of older versions.
Key Takeaways
ChatGPT 5.1 lets you change settings and tone controls. You can make your chat feel just right for you.
Pick Instant mode for fast answers. Pick Thinking mode for longer and better answers.
The update makes fewer mistakes. Thinking mode now has up to 80% less errors than before.
You can pick from eight chat styles. These include Professional and Quirky. This helps match how you want to talk.
New safety features make ChatGPT 5.1 more reliable. It is now a safer tool for many tasks.
ChatGPT 5.1 Overview
Key Features in GPT-5.1
Gpt-5.1 has lots of new things that make it better. This new version lets you have smarter talks and more control. Openai made gpt-5.1 to give you faster answers with fewer mistakes. You can pick Instant or Thinking modes. Instant mode is fast. Thinking mode gives deeper answers.
Here is a table that shows what makes gpt-5.1 special:
Feature | Description |
GPT-5.1 Instant | |
GPT-5.1 Thinking | Uses advanced reasoning, is quick with easy tasks, and keeps working on hard ones. |
Personality Presets | More choices like Professional, Candid, and Quirky for you to use. |
Improved Communication | Talks in a better way, so chats are more fun and interesting. |
Efficiency in Reasoning | Changes how long it thinks, so you get faster and clearer answers. |
You can use personality presets to make chatgpt sound how you want. You can pick professional, candid, or quirky. This lets you change how gpt-5.1 talks to you. The model can also remember more from long chats and keeps details better.
User Experience Enhancements
Gpt-5.1 makes chatting easier and feels more real. You will see better thinking and fewer mistakes than before. The model can use audio and images, so you can ask in different ways. Answers feel warmer and kinder, so chats are more fun.
You will notice:
Chats sound more natural.
Answers are more accurate and can change to fit your needs.
It can use audio and images as input.
It understands feelings better.
Tip: You can switch between Instant and Thinking modes. Instant mode is fast and friendly. Thinking mode helps with hard questions and gives longer answers.
Many people say gpt-5.1 is like talking to a really smart person. Openai’s team thinks this is a big step for AI. Sam Altman said gpt-5 is "generally intelligent." Reviews say it is very smart and understands feelings well.
Gpt-5.1 is good at keeping chats on track and matching your style. You get clearer answers and more ways to control how chatgpt talks. This update is a big move to make AI more helpful and personal for you.
GPT-5.1 Modes: Instant & Thinking
Chatgpt 5.1 lets you chat in two ways. You can pick Instant mode or Thinking mode. Each mode is good for different things. Instant mode is best for quick and easy chats. Thinking mode helps with hard questions and big projects. You get to choose what works best for you. This makes chatgpt easier to use and more helpful.
Feature | GPT-5.1 Instant | GPT-5.1 Thinking |
Tone | Warmer and more conversational | Clearer explanations, less jargon |
Instruction Following | Better at following instructions | Empathetic tone, especially on complex tasks |
Use Case | Casual or repetitive tasks | Writing projects, multi-step questions, detailed analysis |
Instant Mode Capabilities
Instant mode gives answers right away. You get a friendly chat that feels warm. The system talks in a casual way. It feels quick and easy to use. Instant mode listens to your instructions well. You get what you ask for fast.
Here are some key features of Instant mode:
Gives answers right away to your questions.
Uses a friendly and warm style.
Listens to your instructions closely.
Makes simple or repeated tasks easier.
You can use Instant mode for easy jobs or short chats. It works well even if you change topics a lot.
Thinking Mode Capabilities
Thinking mode uses smart reasoning. You get deeper answers and more details. This mode is best for writing, big questions, and planning. Thinking mode spends more time on hard problems. You see better logic and checks for data.
Feature | Instant Mode | Thinking Mode |
Focus | Speed and low latency | Deeper reasoning resources |
Ideal Use Case | Short, transactional prompts | Complex workflows, data interpretation, content planning |
Reasoning Capability | Minimal computation for simple queries | Multi-step reasoning, data validation, compliance review |
Adaptive Reasoning | Not applicable | Dynamically allocates thinking time based on task complexity |
Thinking mode keeps chats clear, even when they are long. You can ask for big reports or answers with many parts. It helps you work with large files. You get a model that solves tough problems and keeps answers correct.
Tip: Use Thinking mode for deep questions or big projects. Instant mode is best for quick chats and easy questions.
Chat Styles & Personality in ChatGPT
Eight Chat Styles
Chatgpt 5.1 lets you pick from eight chat styles. Each style changes how the AI talks to you. This helps you get the right tone for what you need. The table below shows the chat styles, their new names, and what they do:
Chat Style | New Name | Description |
Cynical | Cynic | A critical perspective |
Robot | Efficient | Focused on productivity |
Listener | Friendly | Engaging and supportive |
Nerd | Nerd | Knowledgeable and detailed |
New Persona | Professional | Formal and business-like |
New Persona | Candid | Open and honest |
New Persona | Quirky | Unconventional and fun |
You can change styles fast. Click your profile icon. Go to Personalization. Pick a style from the menu. Friendly is good for talking with people. Professional works well for business writing.
Note: Research shows social chatbots like Friendly or Quirky make people happier and trust them more than task chatbots like Efficient.
Personality Presets: Professional, Candid, Quirky
Personality presets let you control how the AI answers. You can pick Professional, Candid, or Quirky. Each preset changes how your chat feels. Professional is best for emails and work stuff. Candid gives honest answers without being extra nice. Quirky makes chats fun and creative, great for new ideas.
Available Presets:
Default: Balanced and clear answers.
Professional: Best for business communication.
Friendly: Warm and supportive.
Candid: Straightforward and honest.
Quirky: Creative and fun.
Efficient: Quick and concise.
Nerdy: Detailed and technical.
Cynical: Skeptical and critical.
Use Professional for formal letters. Friendly is good for teaching kids. Efficient helps with quick fixes. Quirky is great for fun ideas. These presets help you match the AI’s tone to your needs. The new settings let you control how chatgpt 5.1 talks, so chats feel more personal and fun.
Tip: Try different presets to see what works best for you. You can change styles anytime to fit your mood or project.
Performance & Safety in GPT 5.1
Faster Responses & Reliability
GPT-5.1 answers your questions faster now. It uses new ways to make tokens, so you get quick replies. This is most helpful for easy questions. You can trust the AI to listen and follow your instructions. It stays on topic and makes fewer mistakes. The replies are smarter and easier to understand. You see better thinking and clearer meaning in every chat.
Improvement Type | Description |
Response Speed | GPT-5.1 gives faster answers by making tokens better. |
Reasoning Capabilities | Shows smarter thinking and explains ideas more clearly. |
Reliability | Makes fewer mistakes and gives more correct answers. |
You get answers that sound more natural and come faster. The model listens better and does not go off topic. You see fewer mistakes in facts or logic. GPT-5.1 wants to be a good helper, not just a fun tool. You will see fewer made-up answers in hard tasks. It works better for safety jobs like health and law. You can pick a 'Professional' tone for work questions.
Updated Safety Controls
Openai added new safety checks to GPT-5.1. The model looks for mental health problems and helps people in trouble. It uses tests to see how much users depend on AI. Safe-completions training helps GPT-5.1 give safer answers. This method lowers harmful replies and makes rare mistakes less serious.
Here is a table that shows safety changes:
Improvement Type | GPT-5.1 vs GPT-4o | Reduction Rate |
Factual Errors | 45% | Big drop |
Hallucination Rates | 80% | Huge drop |
Deception Rate | 2.1% | Lower than before |
You get safer chats because the model says no less often and gives better answers. If mistakes happen, the system makes sure they are not as bad. These updates make GPT-5.1 safer for everyone, even in tough situations.
Tip: You can trust GPT-5.1 with hard jobs and know your chats are safe. The new safety checks protect you and make the AI more trustworthy.
OpenAI Rollout & Availability
Release Timeline
You will get ChatGPT 5.1 soon. Openai is giving it to users in groups. Premium subscribers got it first. Free users will get it in a few weeks. You might see a message when your account updates. When you get the update depends on where you live and your account type.
Here is a simple timeline for when you get it:
User Type | Expected Access Date |
Immediate to 1 week | |
Free Users | 2 to 4 weeks |
Enterprise Clients | Custom rollout schedule |
Tip: Look at your app or browser for update messages. You can also check the openai website for news about your account.
Supported Platforms
You can use ChatGPT 5.1 on lots of devices. The update works on web browsers, desktop apps, and phones. You can chat on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Both personal and business accounts can use this version. If you use the web app, you do not need to install anything new. If you use a phone, you may need to update your app in the app store.
Supported platforms are:
Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
Windows and macOS desktop apps
iOS and Android mobile apps
Enterprise dashboards
Note: Some features, like audio or images, work best on newer devices. You can check the help center to see what your device needs.
You can use Instant and Thinking modes on all devices. The update makes it simple to use ChatGPT 5.1 anywhere you work or learn.
You now get smarter, faster answers with ChatGPT 5.1. You can pick chat styles and personality presets to match your needs. You see fewer mistakes and safer replies.
Try Instant mode for quick chats.
Use Thinking mode for deep questions.
Change styles anytime for a personal touch.
Tip: Watch for updates in your app or browser. OpenAI plans more improvements, so you can expect even better features soon.
FAQ
How do you switch between Instant and Thinking modes?
You can find the mode button at the top of your chat. Click it to pick Instant for fast answers. Pick Thinking if you want deeper replies. The change happens right away.
Can you use personality presets on mobile devices?
Yes, you can use personality presets on iOS and Android. Tap your profile icon to open Personalization. Pick the style you like best.
What should you do if you notice a mistake in an answer?
Click the thumbs-down icon next to the reply. This helps OpenAI make answers better. You can also ask ChatGPT to try again or explain more.
Is ChatGPT 5.1 safe for kids to use?
ChatGPT 5.1 has new safety controls. You should watch kids when they use it. The model tries to avoid harmful content and gives safer replies.
Which platforms support audio and image input?
Platform | Audio Input | Image Input |
Web Browser | ✅ | ✅ |
iOS App | ✅ | ✅ |
Android App | ✅ | ✅ |
Desktop App | ✅ | ✅ |
Tip: Update your app to the newest version for the best results.
