- OpenAI has reversed its unpopular decision to remove Standard Voice Mode
- It could still be replaced at some point in the future
- You can access Standard Voice Mode by selecting options in Settings
It seems hardly a week can go by without OpenAI performing some sort of U-turn in reaction to an angry backlash from ChatGPT users. Hot on the heels of its decision to keep older legacy LLM models, the latest U-turn from Sam Altman and crew is to cancel plans to remove Standard Voice Mode after many ChatGPT users complained.
OpenAI’s initial plan was to replace Standard Voice Mode, a basic but functional voice mode, with the more interactive Advanced Voice Mode, which has more options, and rebrand the new service as simply ChatGPT Voice.
As we reported, the decision has not gone down very well with the ChatGPT user base. It seems that many users prefer the Standard Voice Mode.
Posting on the OpenAI developer forum, one user, tzf75bpk5j, wrote, “I have been very frustrated with the Advanced model for voice chat to the point I would rather have the free version. The Standard is far superior in giving more human-like responses that are more relevant both in content and expression. The Advanced Mode gives generic answers, and the vocal tone is flat and robotic.”
I'm devastated
While Advanced Voice Mode allows interruptions and is generally considered to be more expressive, I can see why many people prefer the original Standard Voice mode that ChatGPT offered. It's simple, direct, and chatty.
Talking about the retirement of Standard Voice Mode on Reddit subreddit r/ChatGPT, user Miboluo said, “ I’m devastated. I’ve used the standard voice “Cove” for over a year; it’s been one of the most comforting parts of my ChatGPT experience—calm, neutral, consistent—exactly what I want from an AI assistant.”
“Yes, AVM is faster and allows live interruption – that’s impressive. But the experience has been awful for me: conversations feel flat and dull (maybe due to model limits/nerfs), and the delivery is often over-acted – sometimes like a melodramatic stage actor. The harder it tries to sound human, the more I notice it isn’t; that breaks immersion.”
A post on X.com by Nick Turley, VP and Head of @chatgptapp, announced that OpenAI had decided not to remove Standard Voice Mode:
Last month we announced that everyone now has access to Advanced Voice Mode, with usage limits expanded from minutes per day to hours for free users and near unlimited for Plus.We also announced that Standard Voice Mode would be retired after a 30-day sunset. We’ve heard…September 9, 2025
A notice on the OpenAI website reads:
“Last month, we announced that everyone now has access to Advanced Voice Mode, with usage limits expanded from minutes per day to hours for free users and near unlimited for Plus. We also announced that Standard Voice Mode would be retired after a 30-day sunset."
"We’ve heard feedback that Standard Voice is special to many, and we want to get this transition right. Standard Voice will stay available while we address some of your feedback in Advanced Voice. Stay tuned, more improvements to Advanced Voice Mode are coming soon!”
Accessing Standard Voice mode
To access Standard Voice Mode in ChatGPT, click or tap your username, select Settings, then Customize ChatGPT. Scroll down to Advanced, toggle 'Advanced voice' to off, and select Save.
Now, when you activate Voice Mode by tapping or clicking on the icon in the far right of the prompt window, you will enter Standard Voice Mode, which is represented by a black circle as ChatGPT talks, rather than a blue orb with clouds.
It remains to be seen if a simpler option for accessing it will be introduced now that it has been given a stay of execution.
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