ChatGPT just made it easier to pick the right model, just like Gemini does heres when to use Instant, Thinking, or Pro

Date:
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
OpenAI has given the web interface a rejig for Plus, Pro and Business users, making it easier to choose between Instant and Thinking when you talk to ChatGPT.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter ChatGPTs model picker has moved directly into the prompt box Instant is faster, while Thinking is better for complex tasks Pro gives subscribers ChatGPTs most powerful option for harder workflows OpenAI just quietly updated the ChatGPT interface for all users on Plus, Pro, and Business plans in a subtle way that makes it much easier to choose which version of its model you want to use either Instant, for fast results, or Thinking, for a more considered response. But those arent your only choices, and there's a hidden setting, as well explain.

Previously, these options were squirreled away in an obscure ChatGPT menu at the top of the screen, which, frankly, not a lot of people knew about. Now theyre right where you write your prompt, and you can bet people will be
using the different options a lot more. The new menu leads to a choice
between Instant, Thinking, and Configure. Heres what you might not realize the Instant option actually uses GPT-5.3, not the latest GPT-5.5. To use
that, you need to select Thinking. Article continues below You may like ChatGPTs backup model just got smarter as OpenAI adds a new Pro option
OpenAI introduces ChatGPT 5.4 Thinking for solving bigger problems ChatGPT
can be tricky about what model it uses

If you select Configure, you can specify exactly which model version youd
like to use, from older GPT models, going back to 5.4, 5.2, and o3. When to use Thinking and Instant ChatGPT-5.5 Thinking is better for hard tasks. It does a better job of keeping track of what it has already done. The way it delivers its results is different, too. It can sometimes show a short
preamble before it starts reasoning. You can even add instructions while its thinking out loud to adjust the final direction. You also get a much more streamlined output, with cleaner formatting and less unnecessary header text, even if it takes a long time to get your answer.

In contrast, ChatGPT-5.3 Instant is much better at delivering quick results. This can matter if youre anything like me, because if I have to wait more
than 10 seconds for something on the internet, I get distracted and start looking at something else, and before I know it, Ive forgotten what I was actually doing in the first place.

So, if I had time and I wanted a more complete answer to a complex question like: Given the current state of the market, how long do you think RAM prices will remain high?, Id use Thinking. If I wanted to know something simple,
like What is the average flight speed of a jumbo jet?, Id use Instant. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

In the Configure menu, youll also notice that theres an option for ChatGPT to auto-select which version of the model to use for you, based on the
complexity of your question.

The auto-select switch is turned on by default, but theres also the ethical element to consider. Instant uses less processing power in an AI data center, and therefore less water, which is used for cooling. Its a bit like running your dishwasher using Eco mode. While its probably best for the planet not to have a dishwasher at all, at least running it in Eco mode uses up fewer natural resources. The hidden setting that affects thinking time You might think that theres not much to the model version selector, but there is a hidden setting thats worth knowing about. What to read next OpenAI introduces new ChatGPT 5.3 Instant to reduce the cringe for users I tested the new ChatGPT-5.4 mini and nano models Gemini 3.1 Pro vs Gemini 3 Pro: Googles new AI is slower on purpose

If you move your cursor up to Thinking in the menu, then hover it over the option, youll notice that you get a choice between Standard and Extended.
This refers to the length of time ChatGPT will spend thinking about your question or prompt.

So, if you want to extract the maximum amount of ChatGPTs processing power, choose Extended here: The hidden thinking time menu in the ChatGPT interface. (Image credit: OpenAI) The last option in the Configure menu is Pro. This is the highest-capability GPT-5.5 option that ChatGPT currently offers. Its for the hardest tasks and long-running workflows, and it is only available to Pro subscribers. Just like Gemini Of course, if youre a ChatGPT user on a Free or Go plan, nothing will have changed in your web interface you will still have the old ChatGPT menu visible at the top of the screen. The interface in the app version of ChatGPT also remains unchanged. Its unclear if this change
will eventually roll out to the interface on these different plans and platforms in the future.

It hasnt escaped my notice that the new look ChatGPT has gone for is exactly the way Gemini does it. It's interesting to see OpenAI changing part of its interface to be more like Gemini.

Now that a model option selector has appeared in exactly the same place in ChatGPT, instead of being hidden in an obscure location, you can bet its
going to get used a lot more, and that will lead to better answers for everybody. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/chatgpt/chatgpt-just-made-it -easier-to-pick-the-right-model-just-like-gemini-does-heres-when-to-use-instan t-thinking-or-pro


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