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OpenAI updates GPT-5.2 Instant, launches GPT-5.3-Codex with 25% faster performance
OpenAI APIChatGPTOpenAI · releasefeatureapimodelplatform · help.openai.com ↗

GPT-5.2 Instant Improvements

OpenAI has released an update to GPT-5.2 Instant in ChatGPT and the API that enhances response quality and contextual appropriateness. The model now produces more measured, grounded responses that better match conversation context, and delivers clearer, more relevant answers to how-to and advice-seeking questions by consistently placing critical information upfront.

Introducing GPT-5.3-Codex

The headline addition is GPT-5.3-Codex, OpenAI's most capable agentic coding model to date. This model represents a significant architectural shift by combining the Codex and GPT-5 training stacks into a unified system that brings together best-in-class code generation, reasoning, and general-purpose intelligence. The model is approximately 25% faster than its predecessor, sets new performance benchmarks, and marks a transition from pure code generation to an interactive general-purpose coding agent that developers can actively steer in real-time.

Thinking Time Adjustments and Feature Updates

OpenAI has made ongoing adjustments to thinking time settings for GPT-5.2 Thinking in response to user preference data:

  • January 10, 2026: Reduced Standard and Light thinking times based on user feedback preferring faster responses
  • February 3, 2026: Made an additional small reduction to Standard thinking time
  • February 4, 2026: Restored Extended thinking to its prior level after an inadvertent reduction

The thinking level toggle, introduced in September 2025, allows users to select the appropriate reasoning depth for their needs. Additionally, GPT-5.2 Instant received a personality system update on January 22 to be more conversational with better contextual tone adaptation.

Model Retirement and Updates to Model Spec

OpenAI is retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini from ChatGPT effective February 13, 2026. API users are not affected by this change. The company also released updates to its Model Spec (the living document outlining intended model behavior) with expanded Under-18 Principles that provide age-appropriate guidance for teen users (ages 13-17), emphasizing clear boundaries, reduced harmful content exposure, and encouraging involvement of guardians and trusted adults when risks arise. Previous updates to the Model Spec also strengthened mental health guidance and clarified support for people's real-world connections.