OpenAI Teases Expensive New ChatGPT Features

OpenAI is preparing to launch a new set of advanced features for ChatGPT in the coming weeks, but users should be ready for a significant price tag. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, these upcoming tools are computationally intensive, which means they will be expensive to run and, consequently, expensive to use.

The Price of Progress

In a post on X, Sam Altman explained the financial reality behind the next wave of AI innovation. “Over the next few weeks, we are launching some new compute-intensive offerings,” he stated. “Because of the associated costs, some features will initially only be available to Pro subscribers, and some new products will have additional fees.”

Over the next few weeks, we are launching some new compute-intensive offerings. Because of the associated costs, some features will initially only be available to Pro subscribers, and some new products will have additional fees. Our intention remains to drive the cost of… — Sam Altman (@sama) September 21, 2025

To put this in perspective, ChatGPT's current Pro plan already costs $200 per month. This tier provides unlimited access to the latest models like GPT-5 and GPT-5 Pro, along with higher limits for features like Sora video generation and ChatGPT Agent usage. The more accessible Plus plan is $20 per month. The new announcement suggests that even a $200 monthly subscription might not be enough to cover the cost of these new premium features, which could require an additional usage fee.

What's on the Horizon for ChatGPT?

While OpenAI has not officially revealed what these new features are, industry reports and leaks offer some compelling clues. The most significant rumor is that OpenAI is developing its own AI-powered web browser to compete with Google Chrome.

According to an exclusive report from Reuters, the browser will be built on the Chromium engine and is designed to handle many user interactions within a native chat interface rather than navigating traditional websites. This approach mirrors the functionality seen in innovative browsers like Perplexity’s Comet.

Further speculation, highlighted in another leak, suggests the browser might be a “cloud browser” that works in tandem with the ChatGPT Agent to automate complex tasks online. Such a tool would be a powerful, resource-heavy application that aligns with Altman's comments about high computational costs, potentially justifying the premium pricing model.