According to Forbes, Apple’s iOS 26.3 is the next major iPhone update, currently in developer beta since December 15. The general release is predicted for the last week of January 2026, based on Apple’s established yearly pattern for “x.3” updates. A specific report from MacObserver notes the date almost always falls the week after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, pinpointing January 26, 2026, as the best single-date guess, with a possible one-to-two-day shift. This follows the somewhat surprising Friday release of iOS 26.2 on December 12. Crucially, iOS 26.3 will not have an accompanying iOS 18 security update for older phones, making it an important release for all users on the iOS 26 track.
The January Calendar Is Pretty Set
Here’s the thing with Apple’s software schedule: once they lock into a rhythm, they really stick to it. The report suggesting a late-January drop for a “.3” update isn’t just a guess—it’s based on several years of history. And that makes planning pretty easy. If you’re looking at your calendar for late January 2026, just circle that week after MLK Day. My money is on Monday the 26th or Tuesday the 27th. They might tweak it for a last-minute bug, but the window is solid. It’s almost boring how predictable this part has become, which is actually a good thing for users and IT departments.
Why This Update Matters More
Now, this isn’t just another routine update. The article highlights a key point: there’s no iOS 18.7.3 coming alongside it. We saw a dual-release with iOS 26.1 and 18.7.2, but that’s over. So what does that mean? Basically, if you’re on a phone that can run iOS 26 and you skipped 26.2, you’re now two major security patches behind if you skip 26.3. That’s a risk. Apple funnels all its security fixes for modern devices into the latest OS branch. Missing one update is questionable advice; missing two is just negligent. This pressure is how Apple gently (or not so gently) herds users forward.
The Surprise Factor Is Gone
Remember the mild shock when iOS 26.2 landed on a Friday? That was a fun break from tradition. But it seems that was a blip, an anomaly to get the schedule back on track after iOS 26.1’s slightly late arrival. With the 26.3 date being telegraphed this clearly and this early, Apple is back to its standard, predictable operating procedure. So don’t expect any more Friday surprises for a while. The real question is what features will be in the update. The date we can predict; the contents are still a mystery. We’ll likely get hints as the beta progresses through January. But for now, mark your calendars. Late January 2026 is when your iPhone will next get a significant refresh.
