Canonical has already started the engines for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon”, the next long-term support release that —if the schedule holds— will arrive on 23 April 2026, as usual on a Thursday. This won’t be just another release: everything points to it being the version that firmly consolidates the Ubuntu desktop in the Wayland era, while squeezing more performance out of modern hardware thanks to new architecture variants.

With more than a year to go, there is already a fairly clear roadmap: a new GNOME version, refreshed default apps, optimized builds for newer CPUs and deeper improvements in security and accessibility.

GNOME 50: a new desktop generation

Ubuntu 26.04 will ship with GNOME 50, the version scheduled to land a few weeks earlier, in March 2026. This won’t be a minor cosmetic update but rather another step in the transition toward a more modern and visually coherent GNOME:

Several classic apps are expected to be replaced by more modern alternatives based on libadwaita, as has already happened in previous cycles with the text editor, document viewer and terminal.
The focus remains on design consistency, simplifying interfaces without sacrificing functionality, something Canonical usually fine-tunes with its own theme and small adjustments.

In parallel, Ubuntu will keep betting on Wayland as the default session, with specific work to improve performance and stability on Nvidia hardware, historically the trickiest part of this transition.

Showtime and Resources: new default apps

Some of the most visible changes for users will come from the replacement of two key system applications.

Showtime, the new default video player

After years with Totem (Videos) as the preinstalled player, Ubuntu 26.04 is set to adopt GNOME Showtime as its new default video player:

A minimalist, modern interface, aligned with current GNOME design guidelines.
Discreet but sufficient controls, accessible via icons or context menu.
A cleaner visual fit with the rest of the desktop.

Totem will remain in the repositories for anyone who prefers it, but the message is clear: Canonical wants the out-of-the-box experience to feel more up to date.

Resources, the new system monitor

The default system monitor is changing as well. The traditional GNOME System Monitor gives way to Resources, a more modern resource monitor that is part of the GNOME Circle ecosystem:

It provides a clear view of CPU, memory, network and processes.
It opts for a simpler interface, aimed at users who don’t need highly advanced views, without hiding key data.
It integrates better with the visual style and philosophy of GNOME 50.

The classic monitor will still be available, but Resources will come preinstalled as the standard option.

amd64v3 / x86-64-v3: Ubuntu tuned for modern CPUs

Another important pillar of Ubuntu 26.04 will be the widespread introduction of amd64v3 / x86-64-v3 variants for all packages:

These variants are designed for modern x86-64 processors that support additional instruction sets (the so-called v2, v3, v4 levels).
In practice, they allow Ubuntu to better exploit the performance of recent CPUs, especially in heavy workloads such as compilation, multimedia or scientific computing.

What matters in practice:

Some packages in this format have already appeared in Ubuntu 25.10.
In Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, the goal is to have the entire package collection available as well-tested amd64v3 variants.

For users, that means:

It won’t be mandatory: the classic amd64 variant will remain the default, ensuring compatibility with older machines.
Those with modern hardware will be able to opt into these variants and gain performance without sacrificing the stability you expect from an LTS.

Wayland, accessibility and desktop polish

Beyond app changes, the Ubuntu 26.04 development cycle brings several deeper improvements to the desktop and everyday experience:

More robust Wayland: targeted work to smooth out animations, window management and compatibility with more graphics setups, with a special focus on Nvidia GPUs.
Improved Snap integration: better app identification, more predictable behaviour for file associations and launchers, and a gradual migration to the new core24 base for Snap packages maintained by Canonical.
PipeWire audio refinements: new packaging approaches for PipeWire are being evaluated so it can be updated safely throughout the LTS lifecycle, avoiding getting stuck with an outdated audio stack.

There will also be changes in the installer and first-boot experience:

Better keyboard navigation and screen reader behaviour.
Accessibility settings available from very early in the setup process.
Ongoing evaluation of integrating the Piper neural TTS engine into Orca, to offer a faster and more natural voice for visually impaired users.

Security: encryption, TPM and permissions

Security is another front where Ubuntu 26.04 will extend work started in recent versions:

Expanded support for full-disk encryption backed by TPM, allowing users to add or remove a PIN or passphrase after installation and to re-encrypt the disk from the Security Center without reinstalling.
Redesigned permissions dialogs, aligned with GNOME’s aesthetics and clearer about what each application is actually requesting.

The aim is to balance convenience and protection — crucial in an LTS that will serve as the base for personal systems, businesses and OEM deployments for many years.

A pivotal LTS for Ubuntu’s next decade

In many ways, Ubuntu 26.04 “Resolute Raccoon” looks like a transitional release:

It will consolidate Wayland as the norm on the desktop.
It will push the ecosystem toward more modern applications (Showtime, Resources and others GNOME 50 may refresh).
It will offer a clear path to optimize the system for current hardware via amd64v3, without abandoning older machines.
It will reinforce the focus on accessibility and security, both critical in long-lived, enterprise-friendly releases.

There’s still room for changes: this is a moving roadmap, and many decisions will only be final as 2026 advances. But the message from Canonical and the community is clear: Ubuntu 26.04 is not meant to be “just another LTS”, but the foundation for much of the Linux desktop experience in the second half of the decade.

Frequently asked questions about Ubuntu 26.04 “Resolute Raccoon”

When will Ubuntu 26.04 LTS be released?
The planned final release date is 23 April 2026, keeping the tradition of shipping the April version on the fourth Thursday of the month.

Will GNOME 50 be the default in Ubuntu 26.04?
Yes. The current roadmap points to GNOME 50 as the default desktop environment, with Showtime and Resources among the refreshed preinstalled apps.

Do I need a brand-new CPU to benefit from amd64v3 / x86-64-v3 in Ubuntu 26.04?
No. Using these variants is optional. If you have a relatively recent CPU that supports x86-64-v3 instruction sets, you’ll be able to benefit from better performance. Otherwise, you can stay on the classic amd64 variant without any issues.

Will Ubuntu 26.04 work well on older or low-end devices?
Yes. Even though many improvements target modern hardware and Wayland, Ubuntu still prioritizes broad compatibility. Older machines can keep using the standard edition, or switch to official flavours better suited to low-resource systems (like Xubuntu or Lubuntu) once their 26.04-based versions are released.