OpenAI Launches GPT-4.1, o3 & o4-mini with Breakthrough AI Capabilities
OpenAI has officially announced the release of its newest AI models—GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini—all of which are now publicly available.
1. o3 Model: A New Standard in AI Reasoning
The o3 model is being positioned as OpenAI’s most advanced reasoning model to date. It integrates:
- Web browsing
- Image generation
- Visual comprehension
This makes o3 a powerful tool for tasks requiring nuanced understanding and analysis, particularly in scientific, mathematical, and technical fields.
2. o4-mini: Efficient Performance for All
Aimed at accessibility and speed, o4-mini is a lighter, more affordable alternative to o3 that still delivers strong performance in complex scenarios.
Both o3 and o4-mini have made major strides in visual reasoning. Users can now upload rough diagrams, whiteboard sketches, or even unclear drawings, and the models can accurately interpret and reason through the content—bridging the gap between text and visual data like never before.
3. GPT-4.1 Series: Expanded Capabilities and Efficiency
OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 series includes three models: GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 Mini, and GPT-4.1 Nano.
These models showcase substantial improvements across key areas:
- Coding Proficiency
- Long-Context Comprehension
- Instruction Following
The flagship GPT-4.1 model boasts a context window of up to one million tokens, allowing it to process and analyze extensive datasets with greater depth. Performance-wise, it delivers:
- 21% better results than GPT-4o
- 27% improvement over GPT-4.5
- 40% faster execution
- 80% reduction in cost per query compared to GPT-4o
Developer Tool: Codex CLI
In parallel with the model releases, OpenAI has introduced Codex CLI, a lightweight coding agent designed for developers.
It enables seamless integration of the AI into local development environments.
Codex CLI currently supports o3 and o4-mini, with GPT-4.1 integration coming soon.
This tool mirrors functionality seen in Claude Code by Anthropic and is tailored to enhance productivity for software developers.
Availability and What’s Next
The new models—o3 and o4-mini—are immediately accessible via ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team plans.
OpenAI also revealed that it will soon release o3-pro, a more powerful variant of o3, exclusive to Pro subscribers. Until then, Pro users will retain access to o1-pro.
Looking ahead, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at the arrival of GPT-5 within the next “few months,” suggesting that these releases are part of a broader strategy to lay the groundwork for the next generation of AI.
With GPT-4.1, o3, o4-mini, and the introduction of Codex CLI, OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what AI can do—enhancing not just performance but also accessibility for developers, professionals, and general users alike.
News Gist
OpenAI has launched GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini models, featuring major advancements in reasoning, coding, and visual comprehension. Alongside, it introduced Codex CLI for developers.
These models are now available across ChatGPT plans, with GPT-5 expected soon.