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Linux 7.0 Confirmed by Linus Torvalds: Stable Version Due Mid-April
February 8, 2026 — Following the release of Linux 6.19 on Saturday, Linus Torvalds has officially confirmed that the next kernel version will be Linux 7.0, marking a significant milestone in the Linux kernel’s evolution.
End of the 6.x Series
In his release announcement for Linux 6.19, Torvalds explained his decision to bump the major version number. “I’m getting to the point where I’m being confused by large numbers (almost running out of fingers and toes again),” he stated, echoing his long-standing practice of incrementing the major version when counting becomes unwieldy.
This decision mirrors the pattern established with previous major version changes. The Linux 5.x series concluded after 19 releases, and now the 6.x series follows suit, ending at version 6.19.
Linux 7.0 Development Timeline
The merge window for Linux 7.0 opens on February 9, 2026, kicking off an intensive two-week period during which maintainers will submit their code changes and new features. According to the projected development schedule:
- Merge Window Opens: February 9, 2026
- First Release Candidate (7.0-rc1): Expected February 22, 2026
- Stable Release: Projected for April 12 or April 19, 2026, depending on whether seven or eight release candidates are needed
What’s New in Linux 6.19
Before looking ahead to Linux 7.0, it’s worth noting the significant improvements delivered in the just-released Linux 6.19:
Graphics and Display Improvements
One of the standout features is the long-awaited DRM Color Pipeline API, which enables hardware-accelerated HDR support on Linux. This feature is initially available for AMD GPU, Intel, and VKMS drivers, representing a major step forward for Linux HDR gaming and multimedia capabilities.
Additionally, older AMD Radeon GPUs (GCN 1.0 and GCN 1.1) now default to the modern AMDGPU driver instead of the legacy Radeon DRM driver, unlocking RADV Vulkan support out-of-the-box and delivering substantial performance improvements.
Intel and AMD Hardware Support
Linux 6.19 brings extensive support for upcoming Intel hardware, including:
- Initial Intel Xe3P graphics enablement for Nova Lake integrated graphics
- Nova Lake and Nova Lake S audio support
- Intel Linear Address-Space Separation (LASS) security feature
- KVM x2AVIC support for AMD SVM, allowing up to 4,096 vCPUs (up from 512)
File System and Performance Enhancements
The ext4 file system receives notable optimizations, including improved buffered I/O write performance and smarter caching of folder permissions. These changes can deliver performance gains of up to 40-50% in specific workloads, though real-world improvements will be more modest.
Btrfs also sees improvements with new shutdown ioctl support, locking performance enhancements, and better handling of block sizes larger than memory page size on RAID56 setups.
Other Notable Features
- Support for the Live Update Orchestrator kernel subsystem for performing live kernel updates
- Support for ARM’s Memory System Resource Partitioning and Monitoring (MPAM)
- SHA-3 and BLAKE2b cryptographic hash function support
- Initial support for the Tenstorrent Blackhole and Black Sesame C1200 automotive SoCs
- Enhanced DRM Panic support for Intel and AMD GPUs, displaying “Blue Screen” messages during critical kernel errors
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS to Ship with Linux 7.0
In a notable development, Canonical has confirmed that Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon,” scheduled for release on April 23, 2026, will ship with Linux 7.0. This aligns with Canonical’s new policy, introduced last year, of shipping the latest upstream kernel available at the time of release.
The timeline works favorably for this integration:
- Linux 7.0 stable release is expected around April 5-12, 2026
- Ubuntu 26.04’s kernel freeze is set for April 16, 2026
- Final Ubuntu 26.04 release date is April 23, 2026
This means Ubuntu’s next LTS release will provide users with cutting-edge hardware support, performance improvements, and security enhancements right from launch.
Looking Forward
The transition to Linux 7.0 represents more than just a numbering change. It marks the culmination of years of development in the 6.x series and sets the stage for the next era of Linux kernel evolution. With continued work on Rust integration, improved hardware support, and enhanced security features, Linux 7.0 promises to maintain the kernel’s position as the backbone of modern computing infrastructure.
Developers and enthusiasts can download Linux 6.19 now from kernel.org, while those interested in tracking Linux 7.0’s development can follow the merge window progress starting February 9, 2026.
Linux 6.19 is available for download from kernel.org. The Linux 7.0-rc1 release candidate will be available for public testing on February 22, 2026.