GPT-o4: OpenAI’s Game-Changer Returns

Key insights

• GPT-4.1 Series Launch: OpenAI introduced the GPT-4.1 series on April 14, 2025, offering three versions—GPT-4.1 (full version), mini, and nano. These models are available through API only and focus on improved coding abilities, better instruction-following, and handling very long text inputs up to 1 million tokens.


• Coding and Instruction Improvements: GPT-4.1 shows a major boost in coding performance, scoring 54.6% on SWE-bench Verified (a software engineering benchmark), which is over 21% better than previous models. It also follows user instructions more accurately, with a 38.3% score on the MultiChallenge benchmark.


• Long Context Handling: The new model can understand much longer content without subtitles, as shown by its top score of 72% on the Video-MME benchmark. It now supports up to 32,768 output tokens per interaction—double the limit of earlier versions.


• Cost Efficiency: The nano version of GPT-4.1 is OpenAI’s fastest and most affordable option, costing just $0.10 per million input tokens and $0.40 for output tokens. The full version costs $2 per million input tokens and $8 for output tokens.


• Model Transition Plans: OpenAI will remove the GPT-4.5 preview from its API by July 14, 2025, urging users to switch to GPT-4.1 for better speed and accuracy. The original GPT-4 will be retired from ChatGPT on April 30, 2025;

  OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 Series: A New Era for AI Capabilities

  The recent unveiling of the GPT-4.1 series by OpenAI has sparked significant discussion in the artificial intelligence community and beyond. In a detailed you_tube_video published by Matthew Berman, the latest features, improvements, and strategic implications of this new model family are thoroughly explored. As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI usability and performance, the introduction of GPT-4.1, along with its mini and nano variants, signals a notable shift in both technical advancements and how developers and users interact with large language models.

  Key Features and Technical Advances

  A major highlight of the GPT-4.1 launch is its remarkable improvement in coding proficiency. According to Berman’s analysis, GPT-4.1 scores an impressive 54.6% on the SWE-bench Verified benchmark, which evaluates real-world software engineering tasks. This represents a substantial leap from previous models, with a 21.4% improvement over GPT-4o and a 26.6% gain compared to the GPT-4.5 preview. Such performance is not only important for software developers seeking reliable AI partners but also for businesses aiming to automate more complex coding workflows. Furthermore, the model’s enhanced ability to follow instructions adds another layer of utility. On Scale’s MultiChallenge benchmark, GPT-4.1 outperforms its predecessor with a 38.3% score, reflecting a 10.5% absolute improvement. This means users can expect more accurate and context-aware responses, which is particularly valuable in professional and educational environments where precision is crucial. Perhaps most groundbreaking is GPT-4.1’s expanded context window. The model can now handle up to 1 million input tokens—about 750,000 words—far exceeding previous capabilities. This advance allows the AI to process entire books, extensive codebases, or lengthy documents in a single session, making it a powerful tool for research, legal analysis, and comprehensive content creation. Additionally, the output token limit has doubled from 16,384 to 32,768, enabling longer, more coherent responses and code outputs.

  Transition Plans and Model Deprecation

  With the introduction of GPT-4.1, OpenAI is strategically phasing out older models to streamline user experience and ensure access to the most capable technologies. Notably, the GPT-4.5 preview will be fully deprecated from the API by July 14, 2025. OpenAI encourages developers to transition to GPT-4.1, citing its superior performance and lower latency as compelling reasons for the switch. Meanwhile, the original GPT-4 model, introduced in March 2023, will be retired from ChatGPT on April 30, 2025. Its successor, GPT-4o, is now the default in ChatGPT and offers significant enhancements in writing, coding, and multimodal tasks. GPT-4o’s ability to process text, images, and audio natively positions it as a versatile solution for users seeking a more dynamic and interactive AI experience. Despite these transitions, OpenAI has opted to keep GPT-4 accessible via API for enterprise and developer use. This approach reflects a balance between innovation and stability, allowing organizations with established workflows to continue leveraging familiar models while exploring newer options at their own pace.

  Optimizing User Experience and Efficiency

  One of the most compelling aspects of the GPT-4.1 rollout is the focus on user experience and cost optimization. As highlighted in Berman’s you_tube_video, the GPT-4.1 nano variant stands out as OpenAI’s fastest and most affordable offering. Priced at just $0.10 per million input tokens and $0.40 per million output tokens, GPT-4.1 nano makes advanced AI capabilities more accessible to smaller businesses, startups, and individual developers. On the other hand, the full GPT-4.1 model, while more expensive ($2 per million input tokens and $8 per million output tokens), offers unparalleled performance for demanding applications. This tiered pricing structure introduces important tradeoffs: organizations must weigh the need for speed and affordability against the demands of complex, large-scale projects that require maximum accuracy and context handling. User experience is also enhanced through GPT-4o, which brings more intuitive and collaborative interactions to ChatGPT. Its improvements in coding assistance, creativity, and communication clarity make it a valuable tool for both casual users and professionals. The model delivers faster responses with less unnecessary detail, streamlining workflows and reducing friction in day-to-day use.

  Strategic Outlook and Future Directions

  Looking ahead, OpenAI’s roadmap is clearly oriented toward more powerful, multimodal, and cost-effective AI models. GPT-4.1’s robust coding abilities and long-context comprehension represent a significant step toward the company’s vision of AI systems capable of end-to-end software development and complex reasoning. Berman notes that OpenAI is already developing future iterations, such as GPT-4.1-o3 "reasoning" and GPT-4.1-o4-mini, which are expected to further enhance logical reasoning and problem-solving. This ongoing evolution underscores the company’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for AI that can tackle ever more sophisticated challenges across industries. However, these advances are not without their challenges. Balancing the need for speed, affordability, and accuracy remains a central concern. As AI models become more complex, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness will be critical, especially as they are increasingly used in high-stakes environments like finance, healthcare, and law.

  Challenges and Tradeoffs in Adoption

  While the benefits of GPT-4.1 and its variants are clear, organizations face several challenges as they consider adoption. For one, transitioning from established models like GPT-4 or GPT-4o may require updates to existing workflows, retraining of staff, or adjustments in budget allocations. The increased context window, while powerful, also demands greater computational resources, which could present scalability issues for some users. Another consideration is the balance between cost and performance. While GPT-4.1 nano offers unprecedented affordability, it may not meet the needs of projects requiring the full depth and breadth of the main GPT-4.1 model. Conversely, relying solely on the most advanced models could strain budgets, especially for smaller organizations. Moreover, as AI systems take on more complex and autonomous roles, questions around ethical use, data privacy, and bias mitigation become even more pressing. OpenAI and its user base must remain vigilant in addressing these concerns, ensuring that the technology evolves in a manner that is both responsible and inclusive.

  Conclusion: The Road Ahead for OpenAI and AI Users

  Matthew Berman’s you_tube_video provides a thorough and accessible overview of OpenAI’s latest developments, highlighting both the promise and the complexities of the GPT-4.1 series. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the choices facing developers, businesses, and everyday users are becoming more nuanced. OpenAI’s commitment to continuous improvement, coupled with its focus on user experience and cost-effectiveness, positions it as a leader in the next phase of AI adoption. Ultimately, the introduction of GPT-4.1 and its supporting models marks a pivotal moment for the industry. By offering enhanced performance, longer context handling, and flexible pricing, OpenAI is empowering a broader array of users to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. However, the journey forward will require careful consideration of tradeoffs, a commitment to ethical practices, and a willingness to adapt as the technology matures.

  

  Keywords

  GPT-4 launch OpenAI GPT-4 features GPT-4 AI advancements OpenAI comeback GPT-4 capabilities AI language model 2025 GPT update