According to Forbes, Apple’s next major iPhone update, iOS 26.3, is currently on its second beta. The general release was widely predicted for late January, with many analysts specifically targeting Monday, January 26. However, that date is now in doubt. The key issue is that Apple has not yet launched the critical Release Candidate (RC) version of the beta. The typical pattern would see the RC arrive, followed by the public release about a week later, which could push the final iOS 26.3 launch into February.
The Release Candidate Hangup
Here’s the thing: the Release Candidate is basically the “final draft” of the software. It’s the version sent to developers and public beta testers for one last look before it goes live to a billion iPhones. And right now, we’re still waiting for it. The author thinks it’ll probably land on Monday, January 26. But even if it does, a same-day public release would be totally unprecedented for Apple. A week later? That’s Tuesday, February 3. So the old January 26 target for the public is looking pretty shaky.
Could It Still Come Early?
Now, not everyone agrees with a delay. Geeky Gadgets has an interesting take, suggesting the update might actually be considered early. Their theory? Apple might be compressing the timeline to sync iOS 26.3 with the launch of its new Creator Studio service. That’s a solid point. But does “accelerated” mean skipping the RC phase entirely or just shortening the gap? I think skipping the RC is very unlikely. Apple loves its process.
What This Means For You
So, for the average user, this is mostly a waiting game. A slight delay usually means Apple is squashing a few more last-minute bugs, which is a good thing. But it creates a bit of uncertainty. For developers and enterprises that need to test their apps and deployment strategies against the final code, the hold-up is more impactful. Their timelines get compressed, too. Basically, everyone is stuck watching the developer portal, waiting for that RC build to drop. When it does, then we’ll have a much clearer picture.
The Final Prediction
Putting it all together, my money is on a slight slip. I think we see the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate on Monday, January 26. But the general public release? I’m betting on Tuesday, January 27, or maybe Wednesday the 28th at the earliest. And honestly, a move into the first week of February wouldn’t shock me at all. It’s not a huge delay in the grand scheme, but it shows that even Apple’s internal schedules can be a moving target. We’ll just have to wait and see what next week brings.
