OpenAI previously attempted to retire GPT-4o last year when it introduced ChatGPT-5, but faced strong backlash from users
According to Techradar, OpenAI will officially shut down ChatGPT-4o on February 13 and move all users to ChatGPT-5.2, a new model the company says has superior capabilities.
This decision marks the end of one of the ChatGPT versions most loved by the community since its launch.
Previously, OpenAI attempted to retire GPT-4o last year when it introduced ChatGPT-5, but faced strong backlash from users.
Many users felt that GPT-5 lacked the natural, humorous and human quality of GPT-4o and felt too mechanical by comparison. Under public pressure, OpenAI had to restore GPT-4o for paid users.
According to OpenAI, the new improvements in ChatGPT-5.2, especially the ability to customize personality and the user experience, are now sufficient to fully replace GPT-4o.
“Our goal is to give users more control over how it feels to interact with ChatGPT, not only in terms of processing capability but also in terms of experience” – OpenAI said in a statement issued last week.
However, ending GPT-4o just one day before Valentine’s Day left many users disappointed, especially because many people see ChatGPT as a daily emotional support and mental companion.
Although ChatGPT-5.2 includes more personalization options, some users still value GPT-4o’s “personality” more.
On technology forums, there have been calls to switch to rival platforms like Gemini, and there are even online petitions asking OpenAI to keep GPT-4o.
Ahead of the change, GPT-4o users are advised to prepare proactively for the transition and consider alternatives that suit their needs.
Notably, some options still allow users to maintain an experience similar to GPT-4o, even though OpenAI no longer officially supports the model.
Le Tinh_Nguoi Lao Dong
