Gpt-5 minimal 🆚 gpt-5.1 none

API
1
  • Paraphrased prior OpenAI statement that is no longer available on the documentation page since replaced with the newest model:

We determined that a little bit of reasoning actually leads to better quick responses than completely removing the reasoning altogether

  • gpt-5.1: minimal option is no longer available

  • Hypothesis 1: gpt-5.1 low is similar in speed and in quality of response to gpt-5 minimal since gpt-5.1 knows how long to think based on complexity

  • Hypothesis 2: gpt-5.1 none is similar to gpt-5 minimal since gpt-5.1 is “smarter”

My own work to test the hypotheses:

Summary

n/a (hypothesis 3: openai did this work)

  • My thought on Hypothesis 1 -- I am leaning toward False because: reasoning, even when low, will take longer for some responses

My thought on Hypothesis 2 -- I am leaning toward False because: OpenAI said even a small amount of reasoning improves responses

Hence, what is the substitution for gpt-5 minimal? Why not leave gpt 5.1 as none, minimal, low, mod, high?

Thanks

2

Well, after extensive testing, gpt-5.1 none, low, medium, or high works just fine for us, thank you very much…