With the Linux 6.19 stable kernel expected to be released tomorrow (8 February), here is a reminder about the top features to expect from this next version of the Linux kernel.
There is a lot in store for Linux 6.19 as the first major kernel release of 2026. We covered all the prominent changes back during the merge window and provided an extensive Linux 6.19 feature summary but for those looking for a quick refresher with the imminent stable release, here is a reminder about the most exciting elements.
– AMD GCN 1.0 and GCN 1.1 GPUs now default to the AMDGPU driver rather than using the legacy Radeon DRM driver. This allows for RADV Vulkan support to work out-of-the-box and other benefits — including significantly better performance on AMDGPU for these older Radeon GPUs.
– The DRM Color Pipeline API was upstreamed. For now this is supported by the AMDGPU, Intel and VKMS drivers. This is another step toward enhanced Linux HDR support and part of the Valve-funded efforts for advancing Linux gaming.
– Temperature monitoring for the Steam Deck APU.
– Continued enablement for Intel’s upcoming Wildcat Lake and Nova Lake platforms — including the very first bits of the Xe3P integrated graphics enablement for Nova Lake. Similar to Panther Lake being in good shape, Wildcat Lake appears to be in good shape with Linux 6.19. For Nova Lake it will likely take another kernel cycle or two to get everything in order — certainly at least for the Xe3P graphics getting baked and ready. Nova Lake will hopefully debut later this year.
– Intel Linear Address Space Separation (LASS) is now in place as a security feature found on newer Core Ultra processors as well as Xeon 6. Intel LASS aims to prevent malicious virtual address space accesses across user/kernel mode.
– Also exciting on the Intel side is finally upstreaming the CASF adaptive sharpness filter found since Lunar Lake. The content adaptive sharpness filter “CASF” provides some very nice hardware-based sharpening but also requires compositor-side integration in user-space.
– EXT4 now supports block sizes larger than the kernel page size plus optimized online defragmentation.
– Up to a 4x improvement for heavy transfer workloads with the Linux networking stack plus some other great wired and wireless networking enhancements.
– The ASUS Armoury driver was upstreamed for providing better support for ASUS gaming hardware like ROG laptops and gaming handhelds under Linux.
– The Uniwill laptop driver was upstreamed for supporting various features from that laptop OEM. Uniwill notable is the manufacturer behind many TUXEDO Computers laptops. So with Linux 6.19+ will be better mainline kernel support for various keyboard features, battery rate charging, RGB controls, and more without having to use out-of-tree drivers.
Plus many other improvements with Linux 6.19 as showcased in our feature overview.
