OpenAI has rolled out a significant update for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, increasing access to the advanced reasoning capabilities of the new GPT-5 model The move comes just a week after GPT-5’s launch, which sparked widespread criticism from paying users who felt short-changed by the model’s original usage limits.
In this detailed breakdown, we explore what has changed, why users were frustrated, and what this could mean for the future of ChatGPT Plus and AI innovation.
ChatGPT Plus Rate Limits for GPT-5 Are Now Higher
Following a surge of complaints, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that ChatGPT Plus members will now enjoy increased daily limits for GPT-5’s reasoning mode.
Originally capped at 200 messages per day, GPT-5’s usage restrictions were seen as too limiting for those paying $20/£20 a month Altman’s update promised not just higher limits, but also a return to and in some cases beyond the message capacity available before GPT-5’s release.
Key Changes for ChatGPT Plus Subscribers:
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Higher GPT-5 usage limits than the previous 200-message cap.
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Faster reasoning responses in certain tasks.
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UI improvements to show which model is responding to prompts.
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A rollback of GPT-4o removal after user backlash.
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Continued early access to new features for ChatGPT Plus members.
ChatGPT Plus Why the GPT-5 Launch Sparked Controversy
- The launch of GPT-5 was supposed to be a milestone moment for OpenAI Instead, it triggered a wave of criticism from ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
- Many users felt that GPT-5, while marketed as a leap forward in AI reasoning, offered only incremental improvements over previous models and came with stricter usage caps. For paying customers, this combination felt like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
ChatGPT Plus The 5 Biggest User Complaints About GPT-5
When GPT-5 went live, social media quickly filled with feedback from ChatGPT Plus users voicing their frustrations The most common complaints included:
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Tighter message caps making it harder to use GPT-5 extensively.
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Removal of GPT-4o, a popular model known for speed and balance.
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Unclear communication on why limits were introduced.
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Perceived lack of innovation, with GPT-5 feeling like a small upgrade.
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Concerns over value for money given the $20/£20 subscription fee.
ChatGPT Plus Sam Altman’s Response
- Altman’s announcement aimed to calm the storm, acknowledging the backlash while promising improvements. He stated that all model-class limits would soon be higher than before GPT-5.
- He also teased a new UI indicator so users will know exactly which model is handling their request a feature many have requested for months.
ChatGPT Plus One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?
While increasing GPT-5 usage limits is a win for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, some users remain skeptical. The larger concern isn’t just about message caps it’s about whether GPT-5 represents a truly groundbreaking step forward in AI.
Some industry watchers believe GPT-5 might be more of an incremental refinement than a revolutionary leap, focusing on smoother interactions, small speed boosts, and user interface tweaks rather than entirely new capabilities.
ChatGPT Plus The Ongoing Expectation vs Reality Problem
The backlash to GPT-5 highlights a recurring challenge for OpenAI managing user expectations Over the past two years, AI chatbots have evolved from a novelty into everyday productivity tools. That means every “big launch” is now judged less by hype and more by tangible improvements and any change that alters familiar workflows risks frustrating loyal users.
ChatGPT Plus Incremental Upgrades May Be the New Normal
If GPT-5 is any indication, future updates to ChatGPT Plus may prioritize smaller, consistent improvements over dramatic leaps These could include:
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UI and UX refinements for smoother navigation.
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Faster response speeds for reasoning-heavy queries.
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Enhanced multi-turn memory for more natural conversations.
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Better multilingual support and accuracy.
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Integration with more third-party tools for productivity.
ChatGPT Plus What This Means for Paid Subscribers
For now, ChatGPT Plus remains the most direct way for users to access OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI models without severe usage restrictions With the new limits in place, subscribers can experiment more freely with GPT-5’s advanced reasoning abilities.
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Higher limits mean more complex projects can be completed in a single day.
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Restored access to GPT-4o offers flexibility in choosing models.
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Early access to UI changes ensures Plus members stay ahead of free-tier updates.
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Paying members continue to get priority access during high-demand periods.
ChatGPT Plus Is It Still Worth It?
Whether ChatGPT Plus is worth the subscription fee depends on how heavily you use AI in your daily workflow For power users, the increased GPT-5 limits are a clear improvement, and access to multiple advanced models adds versatility.
However, those expecting GPT-5 to revolutionize AI interaction may still feel underwhelmed particularly if they were hoping for entirely new features rather than refinements.
ChatGPT Plus Final Verdict
OpenAI’s decision to raise GPT-5 limits for ChatGPT Plus subscribers shows that the company is listening to its user base, even if the launch didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
While the controversy over GPT-5’s debut won’t disappear overnight, the update is a step in the right direction for maintaining trust among paying customers The bigger question is whether future upgrades will deliver enough innovation to match the hype or if the era of small, steady improvements is here to stay.
For now, ChatGPT Plus members can enjoy more freedom with GPT-5, restored access to GPT-4o, and a UI upgrade on the horizon. Whether that’s enough to keep everyone satisfied remains to be seen.
