OpenAI Launches GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 Mini for ChatGPT Users, Retires Older Models

 

 

In a major OpenAI announcement for 2025, the AI research company has officially launched GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 Mini within ChatGPT, marking a significant upgrade for both free and paid users. These new models are part of OpenAI’s ongoing strategy to refine its offerings, streamline performance, and reduce confusion caused by overlapping model names and capabilities.

GPT-4.1 Now Available in ChatGPT

Previously accessible only via the API, GPT-4.1 is now available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers. It brings noticeable improvements in coding capabilities, instruction-following accuracy, and response speed, making it particularly beneficial for developers, researchers, and professionals who rely on ChatGPT for complex workflows. According to OpenAI, GPT-4.1 features enhanced reasoning and reduced latency, providing a smoother and more intelligent user experience than its predecessor.

This OpenAI model upgrade is part of a broader push to make ChatGPT more powerful and efficient for a growing user base.

The launch also includes GPT-4.1 Mini, a lightweight version designed to deliver smarter responses than GPT-3.5 while maintaining low compute requirements. It is now accessible to free-tier and paid users, replacing the older GPT-4o Mini, which is being phased out. The OpenAI GPT-4.1 Mini launch ensures a better entry-level experience with improved performance, especially in everyday conversations and task automation.

While GPT-4.0 was already a strong performer, GPT-4.1 introduces refinements in context understanding, tool integration, and API responsiveness. Though not classified as a frontier model, GPT-4.1 still offers top-tier performance with lighter safety requirements, enabling OpenAI to roll it out more flexibly.

Retiring Older Models

To eliminate model confusion and maintain a clean user experience, OpenAI has now retired GPT-4.0 and is phasing out GPT-4o Mini. These changes reflect the company’s effort to ensure that users always have access to the most capable and up-to-date tools within the ChatGPT latest version.

With these updates, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a more consistent and scalable platform across different user tiers. The introduction of OpenAI GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 Mini is not just a performance boost—it’s a signal that the company is streamlining its ecosystem in preparation for even more powerful AI innovations in 2025 and beyond.