What exactly is in GPT-5 and how do you upgrade?

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, heralded as the “smartest, fastest, and most useful” in its lineup. This release marks a significant leap forward in AI capabilities, combining cutting-edge reasoning, multimodal processing, and task execution into a versatile system. 

For individuals, developers, and businesses eager to harness its power, understanding GPT-5’s features and how to access or upgrade to it is essential. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of what it offers, its key innovations, and the steps to upgrade across various platforms.

What is GPT-5?

GPT-5, developed by OpenAI, is the latest iteration in the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) series, succeeding models like GPT-4, GPT-4o, and the reasoning-focused o1 and o3 models. 

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Unlike its predecessors, GPT-5 is a hybrid system designed to unify multiple AI capabilities into a single, seamless experience. It integrates a fast, general-purpose model for everyday queries, a deeper reasoning model for complex tasks, and a real-time router that intelligently selects the appropriate approach based on user needs. 

This unification eliminates the need to switch between specialized models, making GPT-5 highly adaptable for tasks ranging from casual conversations to intricate coding projects.

Key features of GPT-5

1. Unified System Architecture

GPT-5’s architecture is a standout feature, blending speed, intelligence, and flexibility. In ChatGPT, it operates as a single system with three core components:

• Smart and Fast Model: Handles general queries with quick, accurate responses, ideal for everyday use like answering questions or drafting text.
• Deep Reasoning Model: Engages for complex tasks, such as solving multi-step math problems or developing software, using a “thinking” mode (GPT-5-thinking) that employs chain-of-thought reasoning.
• Real-Time Router: Dynamically selects the best model based on the query’s complexity or user instructions (e.g., “think hard about this”), ensuring optimal performance.

For developers using the OpenAI API, GPT-5 is split into three distinct models:

• gpt-5: The flagship model with maximum capabilities.
• gpt-5-mini: A lighter, cost-efficient version for less demanding tasks.
• gpt-5-nano: An ultra-lean model for low-latency applications.

These API models support four reasoning levels (minimal, low, medium, high), allowing developers to balance performance and cost.

2. Advanced Reasoning Capabilities

GPT-5 excels in structured reasoning, making it a powerful tool for complex problem-solving. It outperforms previous models on benchmarks like:

• SWE-Bench Verified: 74.9% success rate in fixing coding bugs.
• SWE-Lancer: 55% accuracy on freelance-style coding tasks.
• Aider Polyglot: 88% proficiency in multi-language coding.

For example, GPT-5 can create a fully functional single-page web app, such as “Jumping Ball Runner,” with features like increasing speed, high-score tracking, and parallax scrolling, all from a single prompt. Its chain-of-thought reasoning ensures transparent, logical steps, enhancing accuracy in STEM, coding, and logic-based tasks.

3. Multimodal Processing

GPT-5 supports multimodal inputs, processing both text and images through a single neural network. With a 256,000-token context window (up from 200,000 in the o3 model), it can handle extensive conversations, long documents, or large codebases without losing context. This makes it ideal for tasks like:

• Generating text descriptions from images.
• Analyzing visual data for insights.
• Building interactive applications, such as a French-learning web app with flashcards and quizzes.

Future updates are expected to add support for audio, video, and screensharing, further expanding its multimodal capabilities.

4. Reduced Hallucinations

One of GPT-5’s most significant improvements is its drastic reduction in hallucinations—false or fabricated information. It achieves six times fewer hallucinations than the o3 model on benchmarks like FActScore. The model is trained to:

• Recognize infeasible tasks or unavailable tools, admitting limitations in 91% of such cases (compared to o3’s 13.3% correct refusals).
• Provide transparent explanations when it cannot fulfill a request, enhancing user trust.

This reliability makes GPT-5 suitable for precision-critical applications, such as health queries or technical documentation.

5. Enhanced Instruction Following

GPT-5 is designed to follow detailed instructions with precision, making it ideal for task-specific roles like “loan advisor bot” or “legal document summarizer.” Users can upload documents or link to live web pages for the model to reference, ensuring contextually accurate responses. It also minimizes sycophancy (overly agreeable responses) and uses fewer unnecessary emojis, resulting in a natural, professional tone.

6. Personalization and Customization

GPT-5 offers robust personalization options:

• Preset Personalities: Users can choose from Cynic, Robot, Listener, or Nerd, tailoring the conversational style to their preference. These will later integrate with Advanced Voice Mode.
• Chat Colors: Aesthetic customization for a personalized experience.
• Data Integration: Connects to user data (e.g., email, calendar, Google Drive, SharePoint) for context-aware responses, such as scheduling or referencing company files.

Premium users can build task-specific GPTs for applications like education or content creation, with further customization planned for future updates.

7. Health-Related Performance

GPT-5 is OpenAI’s “best model yet for health-related questions,” excelling on benchmarks like:

• HealthBench: General health queries.
• HealthBench Hard: Complex medical questions.
• HealthBench Consensus: Physician-validated responses.

The “thinking” version scores 25.5% on HealthBench Hard (lower is better), a significant improvement over o3’s 31.6%. Its precision makes it a valuable tool for health-related applications, though it avoids detailed responses in dual-use domains to prevent misuse.

8. Coding and Development

For developers, the new GPT is a game-changer, capable of:

• Writing, testing, and debugging code.
• Producing end-to-end applications from simple prompts (e.g., “vibe coding” a language-learning app).
• Improving code design with better spacing and typography.

It integrates with platforms like GitHub Copilot and Azure AI Foundry, supporting features like function calling, structured outputs, and streaming.

9. Safety and Transparency

GPT-5 introduces a safe completions approach, moving beyond binary refusal-based safety training. Instead of outright refusing potentially risky queries, it provides helpful, high-level responses within safety boundaries. For example, in dual-use domains like virology, it offers general insights rather than detailed instructions. OpenAI conducted 5,000 hours of red teaming to ensure robustness, though prompt injection defenses remain a weak point.

The model also emphasizes transparency, clearly explaining refusals or limitations, which builds trust and reduces deceptive behavior seen in earlier models.

How to access and upgrade to GPT-5

GPT-5 is available across multiple platforms, with access tiers based on user type (free, paid, enterprise) and platform (ChatGPT, Microsoft products, OpenAI API). Below are the steps to access or upgrade to GPT-5, depending on your use case.

1. Accessing via ChatGPT

ChatGPT is the primary platform for individual users to interact with GPT-5. Here’s how to access or upgrade:

• Free Tier:
  • Availability: GPT-5 is available to free ChatGPT users with standard intelligence and usage caps.
  • How to Access: Visit chatgpt.com, sign in with an OpenAI account (or create one), and start using GPT-5 immediately. No subscription is required.
  • Limitations: Usage is capped; once limits are reached, the system switches to gpt-5-mini, a lighter model with reduced capabilities.
  • Features: Supports text and image uploads, web search for real-time information, and app integrations (e.g., Google Drive), but excludes multimodal features like Voice Mode.
• Plus Tier ($20/month):
  • Availability: Higher usage limits for GPT-5 compared to the free tier.
  • How to Upgrade: Log in to chatgpt.com, navigate to the account settings, and select the Plus subscription. Payment options include credit card or other supported methods.
  • Benefits: Access to advanced features, including personalization and priority support.
• Pro Tier ($200/month):
  • Availability: Unlimited access to GPT-5 and GPT-5 Pro, with maximum reasoning capabilities.
  • How to Upgrade: From the ChatGPT account dashboard, select the Pro plan and complete the payment process. Existing Plus users can upgrade directly.
  • Benefits: Ideal for power users needing extensive access for tasks like coding or research.
• Team, Enterprise, and Edu Tiers:
  • Availability: Access rolled out within a week of August 7, 2025, for Team (business teams), Enterprise (large organizations), and Edu (educational institutions).
  • How to Upgrade: Contact OpenAI’s sales team via openai.com for custom pricing and setup. These tiers offer tailored integrations, such as connecting to company data or building custom GPTs.
  • Benefits: Unlimited or high-quota access, enterprise-grade security, and support for large-scale deployments.

2. Accessing via Microsoft Ecosystem

Microsoft, a key partner in GPT-5’s development, integrates the model across its AI products:

• Microsoft Copilot:
  • Availability: Free access to GPT-5 via copilot.microsoft.com or Microsoft Copilot apps on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
  • How to Access: Visit the website or download the app, sign in with a Microsoft account, and start using GPT-5. No subscription is required for basic access.
  • Features: Supports reasoning over emails, documents, and files, with a focus on productivity tasks.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot:
  • Availability: Available to Microsoft 365 subscribers (business and enterprise plans).
  • How to Upgrade: Subscribe to a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot (e.g., Business Premium). Visit microsoft.com to explore plans and pricing.
  • Benefits: Enhanced reasoning for enterprise workflows, such as drafting reports or analyzing data.
• GitHub Copilot:
  • Availability: Available to paid GitHub Copilot subscribers.
  • How to Upgrade: Sign up for GitHub Copilot Individual ($10/month) or Business ($19/user/month) at github.com. Existing subscribers automatically gain access to GPT-5 features.
  • Benefits: Advanced coding support for developers, including end-to-end app development.
• Azure AI Foundry:
  • Availability: For developers building custom AI agents.
  • How to Access: Sign up for an Azure account at azure.microsoft.com and explore AI Foundry services. Contact Microsoft for enterprise pricing.
  • Benefits: Access to GPT-5’s API models (gpt-5, gpt-5-mini, gpt-5-nano) with a model router for optimized performance.

3. Accessing via OpenAI API

Developers can integrate GPT-5 into custom applications through OpenAI’s API:

• Availability: Offers three models (gpt-5, gpt-5-mini, gpt-5-nano) with tiered pricing and reasoning levels.
• How to Access: Visit openai.com/api, create an account, and generate an API key. Select the desired model and configure settings like reasoning level or function calling.
• Upgrading: API pricing is usage-based, with higher tiers for advanced features. Check openai.com/api for detailed pricing (not publicly disclosed as of August 2025).
• Benefits: Supports function calling, structured outputs, and streaming for building sophisticated applications, from chatbots to enterprise tools.

4. Considerations for Upgrading

• Evaluate Your Needs: Free access suits casual users, while Plus or Pro tiers are better for frequent use or complex tasks. Team/Enterprise tiers are ideal for businesses needing scalability.
• Check Platform Compatibility: Ensure your preferred platform (ChatGPT, Microsoft, API) supports your use case (e.g., coding, health queries, enterprise workflows).
• Monitor Usage: Free and Plus tiers have usage caps; track your usage to avoid switching to gpt-5-mini mid-task.
• Future Features: Multimodal capabilities like Voice Mode or video processing are not yet available but planned for future updates, which may influence your decision to upgrade later.