ChatGPT Free Users to Get GPT-5.6 Luna as Default Model

WASHINGTON: OpenAI has announced expanded access to its latest GPT-5.6 Luna model for ChatGPT’s free users. According to the company, GPT-5.6 Luna will be introduced as the default model for Free users, offering faster and more capable AI assistance for everyday text-based conversations. The update is being rolled out gradually.

OpenAI said GPT-5.6 Luna has been designed with a focus on speed, efficiency and cost-effective performance. The model is intended for a wide range of everyday tasks, including answering questions, writing, translation, summarization, planning and general assistance. The company has also announced broader access to the model for text chats for free users.

A key feature of the update is the new “Think” option. Users will be able to select Think when dealing with a complex question or difficult problem, allowing the model to spend more time processing the request and produce a deeper and more comprehensive response.

OpenAI has designed different models within the GPT-5.6 family for different types of workloads. GPT-5.6 Sol is positioned as a more powerful model for complex reasoning and professional tasks, while GPT-5.6 Luna is optimized for faster and broader everyday use.

The company has also introduced improvements to GPT-5.6 Sol for Plus and Pro users. The upgraded model focuses on greater factual accuracy, consistency and more focused responses. These users are also being provided with a new slider that allows them to control the depth of reasoning for a particular task.

OpenAI said the expansion of GPT-5.6 Luna access is aimed at making advanced artificial intelligence capabilities available to a broader range of users. However, specific features and usage limits may vary depending on the user’s subscription plan and the service being used.

The company is rolling out GPT-5.6 gradually, meaning the update may not become visible to all users at the same time.

The development is expected to particularly benefit users who rely on ChatGPT for news production, translation, writing, summarization, research, planning and other text-based tasks.