Linus Torvalds has announced the fifth release candidate (RC5) for the upcoming Linux Kernel 7.3 version on September 27, 2026. This rc5 arrived as another large update in the ongoing 7.3 development cycle. While the overall size remains big, the distribution of code changes presents an unusual pattern.
Here is a full breakdown of what is new, why the diffstat looks different this week, and how the testing phase is progressing.
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Why Is the RC5 Diffstat So Unusual?
In a typical kernel release, device drivers dominate the code changes by a wide margin. However, Linux 7.3-rc5 breaks that normal trend.
Specifically, drivers account for less than one-third of the entire patch. Meanwhile, automated selftests make up roughly a quarter of the total diffstat.
In the Linux 7.3-rc5 announcement mail, Linus Torvalds noted that file size explains this mathematical quirk rather than raw commit counts. Individual driver patches remain relatively small in this release. Conversely, several selftest additions contain very large blocks of code.
In fact, an arm64 KVM ITS table test represents the single largest individual patch in rc5. Therefore, the commit history tells a much more balanced story than the raw diffstat suggests.
What Else Changed in Linux 7.3-RC5?
Outside of the expansive selftest updates, Linux 7.3-rc5 delivers important maintenance work across core kernel subsystems:
- Architecture and Virtualization: A significant portion of the update focuses on architecture fixes, primarily targeting KVM virtualization and perf profiling tools.
- Core Kernel Subsystems: The core kernel received substantial attention, specifically featuring fixes across the scheduler and the BPF subsystem.
- Networking and Drivers: On the driver side, networking code makes up the vast majority of updates. Graphics drivers (DRM) follow close behind as the second largest driver category.
- Filesystems and VFS: The release candidate also incorporates targeted bug fixes for core Virtual File System (VFS) utilities and XFS.
Despite the unusual file size distribution, Linus Torvalds emphasized that nothing in the patch appears alarming. He characterized the update as "the same old, same old" routine maintenance.
Download and Test Linux Kernel 7.3 RC5
Kernel developers and enthusiasts can download Linux 7.3-rc5 directly from the Official Linux Kernel Archives or clone the source code from Linus Torvalds' Git tree.
However, users must remember that release candidates represent pre-release software. Because these early builds can harbor bugs, regressions, or incomplete features, everyday users should remain on a stable kernel release for production workloads.
Expected Linux 7.3 Release Timeline
According to the standard kernel release schedule, Linux 7.3 continues its predictable weekly cadence toward a final stable launch:
- August 30, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc1 (Released)
- September 6, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc2 (Released)
- September 13, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc3 (Released)
- September 20, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc4 (Released)
- September 27, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc5 (Released)
- October 4, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc6 (Estimated)
- October 11, 2026: Linux 7.3-rc7 (Estimated)
- October 18, 2026: Linux 7.3 Final Release (Estimated)
If testing uncovers unexpected late bugs, Linus Torvalds may add an eighth release candidate, moving the final release to October 25, 2026.
