Standard voice mode is back. But routes to gpt-5 automatically

OpenAI Reinstates Standard Voice Mode on iPhone for Plus Accounts with Automatic Routing to GPT-5

In a recent update, OpenAI has restored the Standard Voice Mode feature for iPhone Plus account users, addressing a significant gap that persisted for approximately 1.5 months. This reinstatement marks an important enhancement for mobile users who rely on seamless voice interactions with the AI.

Restoration of Voice Mode on iOS Devices

Since yesterday, users of iPhone Plus accounts can once again utilize the Standard Voice Mode, a feature that had become inoperable on iOS devices since mid-August. This change is welcome news for those who depend on voice commands for their AI interactions, providing a more natural and efficient user experience.

Automatic Routing to GPT-5

However, users have observed an intriguing behavior: despite manual settings indicating the use of GPT-4.0, the system appears to automatically route conversations to GPT-5. When accessing the refresh popup menu within the interface, it consistently labels the model as GPT-5. Moreover, during voice interactions, the model itself reports initially working with GPT-4.0, but then switches to GPT-5 without any user intervention.

This automatic transition seems to happen across multiple conversations and is corroborated by user’s screen recordings and usage reports. Such behavior suggests that OpenAI’s backend might be dynamically assigning routes based on internal usage statistics or model availability, rather than strictly adhering to user-specified preferences.

Implications and User Observations

OpenAI appears to be monitoring usage metrics closely. Users reporting these discrepancies note that speaking with the model via voice mode indicates transitioning from GPT-4 to GPT-5, regardless of manual selection. This phenomenon seems to be consistent and reproducible, affecting both voice and text modes.

Despite these unexpected routing behaviors, users continue to engage with the models, and communication with OpenAI support has been established by affected individuals to report and seek clarification on these behaviors.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of Standard Voice Mode on iPhone for Plus accounts restores a key feature for mobile users, enhancing accessibility and user experience. However, the automatic routing to GPT-5, regardless of manual selection, highlights ongoing backend changes and user interface nuances that may require further refinement.

OpenAI’s commitment to transparency and user support is evident as users collaborate with support teams to understand these developments. It remains to be seen whether model routing behaviors will be further clarified or adjusted in upcoming updates.

*For users