Voice mode in ChatGPT: how to use it, what it offers, and what its limits are

Informatec Digital » Artificial Intelligence » Voice mode in ChatGPT: how to use it, what it offers, and what its limits are

Voice mode in ChatGPT has marked a before and after in the way of interacting with artificial intelligence.Since OpenAI introduced this feature, it's been compared to scenes from futuristic films like "Her," and for good reason. The ability to talk to an AI as if it were a real person has transformed the user experience.

Currently, this feature is available not only for paid users, but also for free in limited versions.This has been possible thanks to the implementation of more efficient models like the GPT-4o Mini, which opens the door to fluid, natural, and surprising conversations with today's most popular virtual assistant.

What is Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT and how does it work?

Advanced voice mode allows you to chat with ChatGPT without typing.Simply speaking, the AI ​​automatically detects when the user begins and ends a sentence to respond in a human voice. No need to constantly press buttons to interact, which improves fluidity and a sense of naturalness.

This mode is powered by GPT-4o, OpenAI's most advanced model to date., although its free version uses GPT-4o Mini. On a practical level, the experience is very similar in both cases.: Quick responses, natural voice, and ability to maintain the context of a conversation.

One of its most striking features is the ability to interrupt the assistant at any time and change the course of the conversation., just as we would with a person. Plus, it can interpret emotional nuances in the user's voice, making it a much more sensitive assistant to tone and intent.

How to activate voice mode in ChatGPT from your mobile

Activating voice mode in ChatGPT is simple and is available on both Android and iPhone devices.. You have to open the official app and look for a voice wave icon next to the microphone icon. The latter is used for voice dictation of a specific message, while the one on the right starts the entire conversation..

Once pressed, The screen will change to an interface with a central dial, indicating that the AI ​​is listening. From that moment on, you can speak and ChatGPT will respond in near real time.

To complete the setup, you'll see a gear in the top right. From there, You can choose between different male and female voices, each with different emotional nuances. As you scroll through each one, you'll hear a sample of how it sounds so you can make the best decision.

What are the available voices and how do they vary?

OpenAI has incorporated nine distinct voices to personalize the experience.These options allow you to adapt the assistant's tone to your preferences. The available voices are Arbor, Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, Maple, Sol, Spruce, and Vale. Each has its own unique style, ranging from soft and relaxing voices to more energetic or deeper ones.

During the first activation, the app will ask you to choose one of these voices, but you can change it whenever you want from the settings menu. Some have even generated controversy, such as the voice "Sky," which was temporarily removed due to controversy over its resemblance to Scarlett Johansson's voice.

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Differences between the free and paid versions

Although all users can enjoy the advanced voice mode, there are limitations in the free version.In these cases, usage is restricted to a daily time limit that varies depending on server load. The app notifies you when there are 3 minutes left until the end of the daily usage time.

Previously, the limit was monthly., which made experimenting with the tool much more difficult. Now, this limit has been transformed into a daily restriction, allowing users to chat with the assistant every day without paying, albeit on a limited basis.

To expand your knowledge about possible developments, we recommend you consult How OpenAI redefines its strategy with GPT-4.5 and GPT-5.

ChatGPT Plus subscription users continue to have full access to the full GPT-4o model, with no usage time cuts. While the free version uses GPT-4o Mini, the practical difference is minimal in everyday conversations.

Advanced features: memory, emotions and customization

One of the great advances of this mode is its ability to remember parts of previous conversations.This memory function allows for consistency in prolonged interactions or interactions spread across multiple sessions, thus facilitating closer and more contextualized interaction.

Furthermore, The model is able to detect emotions in the user's voiceIf it senses frustration, joy, or sarcasm, the system can adapt its responses to be more empathetic. This reinforces the feeling of talking to a real assistant rather than a machine.

During tests carried out by some media, this capability was put to the test with quite surprising results.For example, the system was able to identify different human voices and maintain coherent conversations by addressing each person by name.

Practical examples of everyday use

Many users have shared practical experiences using voice mode in their daily lives. From simultaneous translation of a conversation to following a cooking recipe while talking to the AI. In one of the most talked-about cases, a user asked ChatGPT to act like a Valencian chef while explaining how to make a good paella. The response was detailed, enthusiastic, and perfectly segmented.

Another interesting example was the translation tests in several languagesAlthough the system proved highly efficient in English, it also performed decently in languages ​​such as Basque, albeit with some limitations in accent and grammatical structures.

The ability to detect who is speaking in a multi-person conversation and apply different rules to each person has also been highlighted as a feature that borders on magic.

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Available on desktop, mobile, and regions

Voice mode is available on both mobile (iOS and Android) and desktop versions for Windows and macOS.The important thing is to have the latest version of the ChatGPT app installed and grant the necessary permissions for microphone use.

Initially exclusive to Plus and Enterprise plans, it has since been rolled out to free users in several regions, including the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It can now be used in Spain without having to pay..

For mobile devices, you need to have chat history enabled. so that the function can run correctly. Once activated, the system saves spoken conversations just like written ones, allowing you to resume them later or export them.

Elements that make this voice mode different

The big difference between standard and advanced voice mode is naturalness.While the first mode featured pauses, slowness, and difficulty maintaining a fluid conversation, the advanced mode transforms the experience into something almost human-like.

There is no need to wait for the machine to think and process, as the AI ​​responds almost immediately.Thanks to its new model, it directly interprets voice without having to first translate it into text, saving steps and improving the overall user experience.

The result is so impressive that even those with minimal technological knowledge can conduct complex conversations with ChatGPT using only voice, democratizing access to conversational AI.

This advancement brings with it more than just convenience: it represents a shift in the relationship between humans and machines. The ability to engage in dialogue, interrupt, change the subject, and even convey emotions makes ChatGPT more like a digital companion than a simple tool.

Talking to ChatGPT using voice is not just another feature: it's a revolution in the way we interact with artificial intelligence.From selecting between multiple voices, translating in real time, or even having a three-way conversation with family members, the options seem endless. The most impressive thing is how accessible this technology has become, now available for free—albeit in limited quantities—to everyone. Testing this feature is undoubtedly surprising and engaging.