ChatGPT 4.5 Review: Still the King of AI Assistants?
Our in-depth evaluation of OpenAI's latest ChatGPT version shows why it remains the most versatile AI assistant, despite growing competition.
Overview
ChatGPT 4.5 represents OpenAI's latest refinement of their flagship AI assistant, building upon the groundbreaking GPT-4 architecture with improved reasoning, accuracy, and multimodal capabilities. While maintaining the familiar chat interface, version 4.5 introduces several enhancements that solidify its position as the most versatile general-purpose AI tool available.
Version Tested
ChatGPT 4.5 (June 2025)
Platform
Web, iOS, Android
Model
GPT-4.5 Turbo
Free Tier
GPT-3.5 available
Note: ChatGPT 4.5 requires a Plus subscription ($20/month) for full access, while the free tier uses the older GPT-3.5 model.
Key Features
ChatGPT 4.5 offers an impressive array of capabilities that go far beyond simple text generation:
Advanced Reasoning
Handles complex problem-solving and multi-step reasoning with greater accuracy.
Multimodal Understanding
Analyzes and discusses images, charts, and documents you upload.
Extended Context
Remembers up to 128K tokens (about 300 pages) of conversation history.
Web Search
Optional real-time web browsing for current information.
Data Analysis
Upload and analyze spreadsheets, CSV files, and datasets.
DALL·E Integration
Generate and edit images directly within the chat interface.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most versatile general-purpose AI available
- Significantly improved accuracy over previous versions
- Excellent for both creative and technical tasks
- Clean, intuitive interface across all platforms
- Regular updates with new features
- Strong developer API and plugin ecosystem
Cons
- Requires subscription for best model
- Can still hallucinate facts occasionally
- Limited customization options
- No persistent memory between sessions
- Web search requires explicit activation
- Image generation quality lags behind MidJourney
Pricing & Plans
ChatGPT offers a simple pricing structure with clear differences between tiers:
Free
- Access to GPT-3.5
- Standard response speed
- Basic chat functionality
- No image generation
- Limited during peak times
Plus
- Access to GPT-4.5
- Faster response times
- DALL·E image generation
- Advanced data analysis
- Priority access
Team
- All Plus features
- Shared workspace
- Admin console
- Higher message limits
- Early feature access
Note: Enterprise plans are available for large organizations with custom pricing and features like single sign-on and dedicated support.
How It Compares
ChatGPT remains the leader in general-purpose AI assistants, but competition is growing:
| Feature | ChatGPT 4.5 | Claude 3 | Google Gemini | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accuracy | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Multimodal | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Web Access | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | $$ | Free-$ | Free-$ | Free-$ |
Best Use Cases
ChatGPT 4.5 excels across a wide range of applications:
Content Creation
Generate articles, stories, marketing copy, and creative writing with human-like quality.
Programming Help
Explain concepts, debug code, and generate scripts in multiple languages.
Research Assistance
Summarize papers, analyze data, and help structure complex information.
Education & Learning
Personal tutor for any subject, with adaptive explanations and practice questions.
Business Tasks
Draft emails, analyze reports, and generate business ideas or strategies.
Creative Projects
Brainstorm ideas, develop characters, and even co-write scripts or music.
Expert Tips
Maximize your ChatGPT experience with these professional techniques:
Be Specific
Detailed prompts yield better results. Include context, desired format, and examples.
Iterative Refinement
Treat responses as drafts to be refined through follow-up questions.
Use Personas
Ask ChatGPT to adopt specific roles ("Act as a marketing expert...").
Fact-Check
Verify important facts, especially for technical or medical topics.
Structured Outputs
Request tables, bullet points, or markdown for better organization.
Memory Hack
Important details can be stored in a persistent "notepad" within long conversations.
Alternatives to Consider
While ChatGPT leads in versatility, these alternatives may better suit specific needs:
Claude 3
Best for: Accuracy, long documents, ethical AI
Limitations: Less creative, no image generation
Google Gemini
Best for: Web integration, Google ecosystem
Limitations: Less personality, Google bias
Perplexity
Best for: Research, citations, accuracy
Limitations: Less conversational, no plugins
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ChatGPT 4.5 worth the $20/month subscription?
+For regular users, absolutely. The improvements in reasoning, accuracy, and features like image generation justify the cost for professionals, students, and anyone using AI assistance daily. Casual users may find the free GPT-3.5 version sufficient.
How does ChatGPT 4.5 compare to the free GPT-3.5 version?
+GPT-4.5 is significantly more capable - better at complex reasoning, less prone to hallucinations, handles longer context, and offers multimodal features. The difference is especially noticeable for technical, creative, or nuanced tasks.
Can I use ChatGPT for commercial purposes?
+Yes, with some limitations. You can use outputs commercially, but should review and modify them (OpenAI recommends disclosing AI use). Enterprise plans offer additional legal protections for business use.
Does ChatGPT 4.5 remember conversations between sessions?
+No, each new chat starts fresh unless you're in an ongoing conversation. However, the 128K token context window allows for extremely long single conversations.
How accurate is ChatGPT's information?
+GPT-4.5 is much more accurate than previous versions but can still make mistakes, especially for recent or obscure information. Always verify critical facts, and use the web search feature for current topics.
Ready to Experience Advanced AI Assistance?
ChatGPT 4.5 remains the most versatile AI tool for both personal and professional use.
Try ChatGPT NowLast Updated: June 18, 2025 | Suggest an Update