Is GPT-5 Really Here? The Truth Behind the “Introducing GPT-5” Message
If you opened ChatGPT today and saw the bold headline, “Introducing GPT-5. ChatGPT now has our smartest, fastest, most useful model yet, with thinking built in, so you get the best answer, every time”, you might have thought, “Wow, GPT-5 is finally here!”
But here’s the twist, even if you saw that announcement, chances are you’re still talking to GPT-4o. Yep, the same model that’s been the powerhouse for free users for months.
Let’s clear up the confusion.
So… Are You Talking to GPT-5 Right Now?
Short answer: No.
When I ran a direct question to the chatbot asking whether I was talking to GPT-5 or GPT-4o, it confirmed:
“Right now you’re talking to GPT-4o, which is OpenAI’s most capable general-use model for free users.”
That means GPT-5 isn’t yet accessible for everyday users, free or otherwise, at the time of writing.
Where’s GPT-5 Then?
OpenAI hasn’t given a public release date for the latest GPT. If history is anything to go by, when it does arrive, it will likely:
- Roll out first to Plus and Pro subscribers
- Eventually make its way to free-tier users, but not immediately
- Be bundled with premium features and possibly higher API pricing
What Can You Use Right Now?
If you want newer models sooner, you’d need to upgrade to a paid plan. Currently, that gives you access to:
- o3 – Reasoning-focused model
- o4-mini – Faster, lighter, and cheaper than 4o for certain tasks
- GPT-4o – The top general-purpose model for free users
Quick Comparison: GPT-4o vs Paid Options
| Model | Tier Available | Speed | Strengths |
| GPT-4o | Free & Paid | Fast | Great general use, text & image support |
| o4-mini | Paid Only | Faster | Light, efficient, cheaper for dev use |
| o3 | Paid Only | Medium | Best for complex reasoning |
| GPT-5 | Not Released | TBD | Promises smarter, faster, more human-like replies |
Bottom Line
That big banner might feel like the future is already here but in reality, we’re still in GPT-4o land (unless OpenAI flips the switch). It is coming, but for now, your free-tier conversations are powered by the same high-performing GPT-4o you’ve been using.
When it finally launches, expect it to be faster, sharper, and more human-like but also expect it to arrive first for paying customers.
Also Read- Google’s AI Can Now Guess If You’re Under 18: Even If You Lied
