GPT-5 Review: Features, Pros, Cons, and What It Means for the Future of AI

AI Compare Team
January 2025
8 min read
AI Model Reviews

Whether you're a professional, student, creator, or business owner, here's everything you need to know about where GPT-5 shines, where it stumbles, and how it compares with its rivals.

What's New in GPT-5?

1. Smarter, Adaptive Reasoning

Instead of picking between different AI modes, GPT-5 figures out the best way to answer your question on its own. Want a quick reply or a detailed step-by-step explanation? It chooses for you, making chats feel smoother and more natural.

Note: It's not flawless—creative tasks can still trip it up, and sometimes it struggles switching into its advanced reasoning mode, which can be frustrating.

2. True Multimodality

Earlier versions like GPT-4 could handle images, but GPT-5 takes it way further. It can now understand and respond to text, images, audio, video, and PDFs all within one conversation. Imagine chatting with an assistant that truly gets all your content, no matter the format.

3. Memory and Personalization

Unlike past models that forget everything once you close the chat, GPT-5 can remember your preferences and past conversations (if you opt in). This means responses feel more tailored, like having a research buddy who knows your style.

Caveat: Occasionally, it still mixes up details or forgets names.

4. Custom Personality Modes

Want your AI to sound like a coach, a listener, a comedian, or a no-nonsense analyst? GPT-5 includes multiple tone profiles so you can match it to your needs.

5. Lightning-Fast Responses

GPT-5 is noticeably quicker, especially on complex queries that previously took longer to process.

Where GPT-5 Rocks and Where It Doesn't

✅ Sharper Reasoning

Way better at multi-step logic and keeping track of complex ideas, so it's less likely to contradict itself or get lost in tough math or market analysis.

Improvement: Still hallucinates info (makes stuff up), but less often than before. Conversations feel more human.

⚡ Productivity Integration

Integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar and other productivity apps, making it easier to draft emails and manage your schedule.

Caveat: Effectiveness varies depending on your app ecosystem and customization level.

💻 Coding Enhancement

Developers will appreciate the model's improved skills and ability to generate code snippets or handle tasks more accurately.

Reality Check: It's not a magic wand, but there's huge improvement.

🌍 Accessibility

OpenAI's tiered approach means GPT-5 is accessible to everyone from hobbyists and students to big organizations.

Note: Most advanced features and highest response speeds are reserved for paid plans.

Competitive Landscape: What Are Others Doing?

Google Gemini

Gemini models are reportedly focusing on even deeper multimodal capabilities, especially in real-time video understanding and advanced translation, keeping their edge in information retrieval via Google Search integration.

Prediction: When the next version drops, it could surpass GPT-5 in live, fact-dense scenarios.

Anthropic Claude

Claude is pushing hard on safety and explainability, excelling in legal, policy, and highly structured reasoning tasks.

Advantage: While GPT-5's agentic coding is a standout, Claude's cautious and coherent approach could win favor in risk-sensitive industries.

Is GPT-5 Just an Increment?

For Casual Users

Yes—it can feel like a refinement rather than a revolution.

For Professionals & Developers

GPT-5's unified reasoning, improved accuracy, and multimodal integration marks a significant leap. The difference is most apparent in complex, sustained workflows.

How GPT-5 Changes Workflows

For Professionals

A research assistant, project planner, and communication aid all in one.

For Students

A tutor, study partner, and organizational tool combined.

For Creators

A brainstorming machine for scripts, designs, and campaigns.

With multimodal capabilities, GPT-5 isn't just answering questions—it's interpreting, creating, and cross-referencing different forms of information.

Bottom Line

GPT-5 is OpenAI's most capable model yet—powerful enough to replace several productivity tools, yet still imperfect enough to need your eyes on the output.

✅ Upgrade recommended for: Heavy users of AI for work, study, or creative projects
⚖️ For casual users: Expect refinements more than revolutions