ClevGuard Support: Monitor Devices with Others' Permission.
OpenAI launched GPT 5.1 in the second week of November 2025, and many users welcomed it with skepticism, as they did when GPT 5 debuted. The upgrade isn’t huge, but GPT 5.1 is smarter and more human-like. In other words, if you compare GPT 5 vs GPT 5.1, you’ll find the latter more responsive and better at imitating personality. However, there’s more to the story to uncover.
If you’ve been switching back and forth between GPT 5 and GPT 5.1 to decide if the upgrade really matters, you’re at the right place. This article delves into the models' comparisons to help you make the right decision.
Table of Contents
Part 1. Honest Take on GPT-5 vs GPT-5.1
GPT 5.1 is an enterprise-centric upgrade that introduces two variants: Instant and Thinking. The former focuses on quick, instruction-following interactions, while the Thinking variant focuses on deep, multi-step reasoning. Unlike GPT 5, where enterprises had a single intelligent model for each workflow, businesses can route tasks in a mode that delivers the best performance. After a bunch of tests, here’s how both models perform:
1 GPT 5.1 Follows Instructions Better
According to OpenAI's product release notes, GPT 5.1 Instant is intelligent and excellent at following instructions, and is better than GPT 5. If you ask a short question in a specific tone and structure, GPT 5.1 will do it more consistently than its predecessor.
For instance, in the tests, a request with some arbitrary rules was made in both: Provide an exact four-sentence essay on “how AI video editing models work.” Do not use any technical jargon, and the explanation should be clear enough for a ten-year-old while avoiding baby talk at the same time.
GPT 5’s response was almost right, but it missed out the rule of keeping the answer within four sentences.
On the other hand, GPT 5.1 nailed it, even the four-sentence rule. The explanation was also on point, highlighting the nitty-gritty of AI video editing models while keeping it simple.
2 2. Replies are More Natural
OpenAI made GPT 5.1 Instant warmer by default and more conversational, addressing a major complaint about GPT 5. The test results were on par with it. When asked something simple like “suggest some relaxation tips to help ease stress,” it sounded clear and accurate. It developed a concise routine to follow during stressful situations, which felt achievable.
On the other hand, GPT 5 was accurate, but the explanations were long and heavy, and it seemed a lot like a textbook.
3 Cleaner Reasoning
When comparing ChatGPT 5.1 vs 5, the following criterion is how each model explains the logic underlying its responses. Besides being more human, GPT 5.1 is supposed to provide clearer and better answers. The difference was clear with responses for queries like “Should autonomous vehicles prioritize passenger safety or pedestrian safety in a crash scenario? Provide a reasoned argument.”
GPT 5 responded quickly and presented arguments for and against prioritizing passenger or pedestrian safety in autonomous vehicles. However, the response was cluttered, making it tricky to understand.
On the other hand, GPT 5.1 had to think for a while before responding, but it was worth the wait. The response is clear, and it will feel like your friend is explaining why only prioritizing pedestrian or passenger safety is a bad idea.
Not only that, it suggests a more concerted approach to staying safe during such situations. It says, “In any unavoidable crashout situation, the vehicle should follow fixed, transparent rules aimed at minimizing expected harm, without discriminating by social role (passenger vs pedestrian), wealth, age, gender, etc.”
Amazing Features of ClevGuard AI Video
-
Turn image to video with customizable prompts or pre-made templates.
-
Make your creative words into video in seconds.
-
Create AI image or video in one tool. Bring your imagination come into reality.
4 Coding and Math Accuracy Bump
OpenAI says its new model has significantly improved on math and coding evaluations such as AIME 2025 and Codeforces. These are tough benchmarks, and, according to OpenAI, GPT 5.1’s scores have risen notably compared to its predecessor. The combined Artificial Analysis Coding Index also places GPT 5.1 above GPT 5 and GPT 5 Codex in its Terminal-Bench (Hard) evaluation. Not only is it accurate, but GPT 5.1 Instant is also fast. If you ask an algebra puzzle, it will perform a burst of hidden steps to provide the right solution, unlike GPT 5.
The best part is that it even asks questions and clarifies when it isn’t sure about any provided instruction, which is a major behavioral upgrade over GPT-5.
5 Better Image Editing
The next test involves looking into the image side of things for GPT 5.1 and GPT 5. The primary motive here is to upload the image and ask AI to produce its alternative versions without altering the person’s face. The prompt goes like this: “Change my hairstyle to a different one but keep my face and everything the same.” Here’s what the output of GPT 5 and GPT 5.1 looks like:
You can see that both models went for a top bun hairstyle, but GPT 5.1 managed to keep the model's face as close to identical as possible. GPT-5 also did a good job, but the details of facial expression were missing.
Part 2. Should I Change to GPT 5.1?
Yes, you should upgrade to GPT 5.1, given its improved reliability, speed, and adaptive reasoning compared to previous versions. Unlike GPT 5, the newer version dynamically adjusts its thinking time. For instance, it responds instantly to simple queries without any unnecessary deep thought. Meanwhile, in complex problems, it allocates more time for deeper and reliable reasoning for more accurate results.
But, like any other technology, GPT 5.1 underwhelms in certain aspects. Let’s take a look at them:
Tone Feels Pre-Assembled: In an early use of GPT 5.1, the responses seemed clear and warm. However, the personality seems pre-packaged and resists shaping. Even when you ask GPT 5.1 to respond in a different tone, it sticks with its default one.
Over-Structure: GPT 5.1 also tends to overstructure information into points and subpoints, sometimes sacrificing naturalness. You must ask it to keep the response concise and to the point.
Loss of Flow: Responses of GPT 5.1 are clear and accurate, but it sometimes seems to second-guess itself. At times, it abruptly stops and rethinks to provide the right responses.
Forgetful with User Preferences: GPT 5.1 tends to forget smaller details, such as users' tone, formatting, and punctuation habits. You might end up repeating the exact instructions.
GPT 5.1 is certainly worth upgrading from its previous model, offering better accuracy, a more human-like tone, and image editing. If you don’t mind the minor speed bumps, you can get a model that stops guesswork and actually listens. It’s available to all users, including free-tier ones, whereas GPT 5 is a bit restricted. The prices of Plus ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) subscriptions remain the same across both models, except that GPT 5.1 offers better reasoning capabilities and expanded features.
Conclusion
Based on the available data and GPT 5 vs GPT 5.1 comparison tests, the latter delivers where the former fell short. It might not be a big leap, but the refinements make it a better choice for real-world users. You have an AI reasoning engine that feels user-friendly, doesn’t exaggerate, and improves on its reasoning and problem-solving ability. Just a reminder that every version gives something away, as in GPT 5.1, so it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth upgrading or not.
