Why can't they be more consistent about releasing the Insant and Thinking models at the same time for each version number? Why all this duplicative drama?
Good question. I find that GPT-5.5 thinking is very good at not thinking for simple questions, so much so that I've never had the need to use the instant model even for quick Q&A.
I'm assuming the instant model, then, is an entirely different smaller model mainly serving the free tier of ChatGPT.
Good point. I feel like this does a disservice to ChatGPT -- IIRC even the free tier of Claude points you to Sonnet 4.6 by default, which is magnitudes better than 5.3-instant which has been the default in ChatGPT.
Hence most users will immediately think Claude is smarter, even if their best models are on par.
Correct. I have the $20/month plan and I just checked, the default is 5.3-instant. I can manually switch it to Thinking is 5.5. I also have it set to auto-switch.
GPT-5.3-instant wasn't even close to instant. Even with lowest effort it's like 3-4x best case TTFT compared to GPT-4.1
I know, I know.. But they are the one's labeling them "instant". There is a real need for a refresh on the datacenter workhorse that is GPT-4.1
Also, how TF are you going to have an "instant" model release and not mention the latency characteristics at all?
Is this available on the API? I didn't see instant. I see chat?
> GPT‑5.5 Instant is rolling out starting today to all ChatGPT users, replacing GPT‑5.3 Instant as the default model, and in the API as chat-latest.
Big increase in intelligence at the cheapest price
Is it cheap? `chat-latest` on https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing is showing $5/$30 input/output which is the same price as gpt-5.5
I don't see price listed anywhere, do you? This isn't even on their models page yet.
Why can't they be more consistent about releasing the Insant and Thinking models at the same time for each version number? Why all this duplicative drama?
I wonder what's the difference between this and GPT 5.5 thinking with zero thinking effort? Interesting product decision to have different models.
Good question. I find that GPT-5.5 thinking is very good at not thinking for simple questions, so much so that I've never had the need to use the instant model even for quick Q&A.
I'm assuming the instant model, then, is an entirely different smaller model mainly serving the free tier of ChatGPT.
It is an entirely free model, but it is also the model that most users (even paid) interact with until the router pushes the thinking.
Good point. I feel like this does a disservice to ChatGPT -- IIRC even the free tier of Claude points you to Sonnet 4.6 by default, which is magnitudes better than 5.3-instant which has been the default in ChatGPT.
Hence most users will immediately think Claude is smarter, even if their best models are on par.
then again I think the free sonnet 4.6 only allows ~5 requests a day but GPT allows more than 50
Correct. I have the $20/month plan and I just checked, the default is 5.3-instant. I can manually switch it to Thinking is 5.5. I also have it set to auto-switch.
Looks like it gives more readable answer, hopefully it does, the regular free ChatGPT modal right now is insufferable.
Nice, something actually usable and at an affordable price.