![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769273888_241_0x0.jpg\")
<\/p>\nApple\u2019s next major iPhone update is on the way. But when, exactly? Currently, iOS 26.3 is on its second beta, with general release predicted for late January. But many analysts have fastened on Monday, Jan. 26 \u2014 but that may not be the case any longer. <\/p>\n
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Apple iPhone 17<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
I also fancied Jan. 26, though I predicted that another day that week was also possible, with Tuesday, Jan. 27 likely if it wasn\u2019t Monday.<\/p>\n
ForbesWhatsApp Is Finally About To Launch A Long-Anticipated New FeatureBy David Phelan<\/a>Why iOS 26.3 Could Slip Into February<\/p>\n The thing is, Apple hasn\u2019t launched the Release Candidate for iOS 26.3 beta yet. The usual pattern is that the Release Candidate is followed by general release a week or so later, which would push iOS 26.3 to February, assuming there\u2019s a Release Candidate on Monday, Jan. 26 \u2014 which I believe there will be.<\/p>\n Apple could tighten the release to less than a week, but to follow up with the general release on the same day would be unprecedented, I think. <\/p>\n Also unlikely is the possibility of Apple eliding a Release Candidate from the process.<\/p>\n Could Apple Be Repeating A Familiar January Playbook?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a thought: on the equivalent day in 2025, Monday, Jan. 27, Apple unveiled its Black Unity Collection wallpapers and Apple Watch face, plus an Apple Watch Band. On the same day, iOS 18.3 was released. Does Apple have a similar schedule in mind this year?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s something to consider from Geeky Gadgets<\/a>, which thinks that actually the release could be described as coming early. \u201cHistorically, Apple finalizes updates shortly after the Release Candidate (RC) phase, which is anticipated to occur this week. This accelerated timeline likely reflects Apple\u2019s intent to synchronize the update with the launch of Creator Studio, making sure your device is ready to support the new service from day one,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n I think the Creator Studio angle is a good one (more on that here<\/a>), though that doesn\u2019t mean Apple will wait until Wednesday, Jan. 28, when the suite of apps becomes available.<\/p>\n iOS 26.3 Release Date<\/p>\n I\u2019m now predicting that iOS 26.3 Release Candidate will arrive on Monday, Jan. 26, with the general release coming on Tuesday, Jan. 27 or, less likely but not impossible, Wednesday, Jan. 28.<\/p>\n