Canonical has officially updated the kernel target for the upcoming Ubuntu 26.10 release. The distribution will now ship with the Linux 7.3 kernel instead of the previously planned Linux 7.2 version. This decision follows the stable development progress of the upstream Linux kernel, allowing the operating system to provide improved hardware support.
The kernel team has already begun integrating Ubuntu-specific features based on the Linux 7.3-rc1 release. These updates are currently moving from the proposed repository into the main development branch. Users can expect the Linux 7.3 kernel to be a core component of the Ubuntu 26.10 Beta, which is scheduled for release next week.
The final release of Ubuntu 26.10 is set for October 15, 2026, with a kernel freeze date scheduled for October 1. Since the upstream Linux 7.3 release is expected between October 18 and October 25, the final Ubuntu ISO may incorporate a pre-release version of the kernel. Canonical noted that as a non-LTS release, Ubuntu 26.10 will prioritize the latest available kernel.
