Ubuntu 26.04: Raccoon Roars with Speed!

Ubuntu 26.04, known as Resolute Raccoon, is slated for release on April 23, 2026, and offers a significant performance leap. Benchmarks indicate that 26.04 outperforms the previous version, 25.10, across a wide range of tests, including gaming and compilation. This speed boost is attributed to key updates like the new kernel, Wine 11, and Mesa 26, which notably enhance gaming performance for Windows applications on Linux.

The release also introduces a major shift with its Wayland-only GNOME desktop, discontinuing X11 support entirely. Users will find updated default applications, including a new video player and system monitor, and a reconfigured Software & Updates functionality now integrated into the App Center and a new Security Center. Canonical has also increased the minimum RAM requirement to 6GB.