Linux 7.3 landed on schedule.
- Faster I/O on modern systems.
- More AMD Zen 6 platform prep and improvements for older AMD GPUs.
- A kernel driver for the 2026 Steam Controller.
- Better vRAM management for systems with limited video memory.
- Late fixes include rare SMP boot hangs going back to 2024 and workarounds for Samsung 990 PRO and 990 EVO Plus SSDs on some firmware.
The 7.4 merge window is open now. I previewed what’s coming in Linux 7.4 Preview. With 7.3 on time, 7.4 could land before the end of December, which makes it a contender for this year’s LTS. Greg KH might also play it safe and pick 7.3.
My take
Rolling distros like Omarchy will pick this up soon. The vRAM work is the sleeper feature if you run local models on an iGPU.
