OpenAI Updates ChatGPT: GPT-5.6 and Unlimited Chat for Free Users

OpenAI has begun the gradual rollout of updated ChatGPT models. Users on the Plus and Pro plans are getting a more reliable version of GPT-5.6 Sol, while free-account holders get unlimited text conversations with the GPT-5.6 Luna model. The company is emphasizing that answers should be more direct, more accurate and more consistent — both for quick questions and for tasks that require deep reasoning.

As BleepingComputer noted, a new slider has appeared in the interface that lets you adjust how deeply the model reasons — from Instant mode, which responds almost immediately, to High, where the thinking can take several minutes. A low setting works well for everyday questions, while a high one suits research, programming, planning and complex decisions.

More focused answers

OpenAI claims that GPT-5.6 Sol is tuned specifically for how people actually use ChatGPT, rather than for the long-running agentic scenarios of Codex and ChatGPT Work. The model promises to give more focused answers, adjust the level of detail to the question, avoid unnecessary formatting, and gently correct the user in cases where simply agreeing is unhelpful. The question “Who is the president of the United States?” will get a one-line answer, while “How do elections work in the US?” will get a detailed explanation with context.

Particular emphasis has been placed on factual accuracy — when dealing with dates, numbers, sources, legal norms, and medical and financial information. According to OpenAI's internal tests, answers with at least one factual error occur 68% less often with GPT-5.6 Sol than with GPT-5.5 Instant; for Luna the figure improved by 62%.

What free users get

GPT-5.6 Luna is becoming the default model for the Free and Go plans this week, and some users are already seeing the changes. Starting next week, OpenAI plans to lift the limit on the number of text messages on these plans — with a caveat about abuse protection. Limits will remain in place for file uploads, image generation and other tools. Free users will also have access to a Think button, which gives Luna more time to think through difficult questions.

The updated version of Sol is intended only for regular chat mode and does not affect Sol in Codex and Work. At the same time, OpenAI is introducing additional restrictions for users under 18: it more strictly filters romantic roleplay, sexual content, dangerous activities, topics involving eating disorders and body image, age-restricted products and scenes of violence.

Source: Bleeping Computer