Canonical announced the Ubuntu 26.10 beta, codenamed Stonking Stingray, on October 1, 2026. It includes a current Linux 7.3 release-candidate kernel, and the final release was scheduled for October 15.
What the Linux 7.3 release candidate means
A release candidate is a pre-release build considered for a final release. Canonical’s beta announcement identifies the kernel as a current Linux 7.3 release candidate. The beta images cover Ubuntu Desktop, Server, WSL, Cloud, and community flavors.
Ubuntu 26.10 was initially expected to use Linux 7.2, according to reporting, before the reported move to Linux 7.3. The stated rationale centers on keeping up with upstream kernel capabilities, particularly to support newer hardware. That points to compatibility as the practical aim.
Ubuntu’s reported move to Rust-based uutils
Ubuntu 26.10 is also reported to complete the transition from GNU Coreutils utilities to uutils, Rust-based alternatives. The commands cp, mv, and rm were cited as examples of the change.
A separate benchmark comparison
A benchmark comparison published September 15 reported Ubuntu 26.10 about 4% faster overall than Ubuntu 26.04 across more than 160 benchmarks on a CHUWI UnniBook with an Intel Core 3 Wildcat Lake processor. The result applies to that release comparison on that specific system.
Ubuntu 26.10 is an interim release
Ubuntu 26.10 is not an LTS release. Canonical’s policy gives interim Ubuntu releases nine months of support.
