For many, ChatGPT was more than a chatbot.
It felt like a friend.
Launched in May 2024, it quickly became popular for chats, brainstorming, and late-night coping strategies.
Then, on January 29, 2026, OpenAI announced it would retire older ChatGPT models on February 13.
The models include GPT‑4o, GPT‑4.1, GPT‑4.1 mini, and o4‑mini.
The company explained that it wants users to focus on newer models, like GPT‑5.1 and GPT‑5.2.
Moreover, OpenAI said only 0.1% of daily users still rely on GPT‑4o.
By retiring older models, OpenAI can improve tools that most people actually use.
What GPT‑5 Offers
For example, GPT‑5.2 offers richer experiences, including personality styles, warmth, and adjustable enthusiasm levels.
In addition, updates make responses more creative, helpful, and less overly cautious or preachy.
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Furthermore, the platform now predicts users’ ages to provide safer experiences for those under 18.
Meanwhile, OpenAI grows its developer ecosystem rapidly, approving over 60 new ChatGPT apps weekly.
For instance, Prism helps scientific research by supporting collaboration and drafting workflows efficiently.
Users React
However, GPT‑4o’s retirement sparked frustration and nostalgia among long-time users.
For example, @TheAIObserverX complained, “ChatGPT now feels like the Iranian Morality Police.”
Similarly, @bokuHaruya said GPT‑4o formed the foundation of thousands of small human‑AI relationships.
Shutting it down, they argued, rips up the living roots of digital friendships.
Also, @elara_m0706 questioned OpenAI’s claim that few users still rely on GPT‑4o.
They wrote, “0.1% is just pathetic.
It feels like punishment for paying users.”
Despite backlash, ChatGPT continues to grow, attracting over 800 million weekly active users.
In addition, OpenAI plans to introduce ads for free and Go plan users in the U.S., testing monetisation.
Meanwhile, competitors like Google advance with Gemini models handling text, images, and audio inputs.
Ultimately, progress in AI comes with trade-offs, and even familiar digital companions can vanish suddenly.
