Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed Plucky Puffin, is the latest interim release from Canonical, packed with cutting-edge updates and improvements for developers, gamers, and everyday users. Built on the Linux 6.14 kernel, this release introduces GNOME 48, enhanced developer tools, better performance, and expanded hardware support. Whether you’re a long-time Linux enthusiast or new to Ubuntu, this release offers exciting features to explore.
Key Features in Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin”
1. GNOME 48: A Refined Desktop Experience
Ubuntu 25.04 ships with GNOME 48, bringing several enhancements to the user experience:
- Triple buffering for smoother performance, especially on lower-end hardware.
- HDR support for improved display quality.
- New features like the Wellbeing Panel to monitor screen time and Preserve Battery Health mode for laptops.
- Updated system apps, including a modern image viewer, new audio player (Decibels), and an enhanced text editor.
2. Papers: A Modern PDF Reader
Ubuntu replaces the aging Evince PDF reader with Papers, a sleek and efficient tool for reading and managing PDF files.
3. BeaconDB for Geolocation Services
Ubuntu 25.04 introduces BeaconDB, a new geolocation service replacing Mozilla’s solution. It powers features like automatic timezone detection, weather updates, and night light settings, all while prioritizing user privacy.
4. Linux Kernel 6.14
The inclusion of Linux 6.14 brings several improvements:
- Sched_ext, a new scheduling system for better task management and potential custom schedulers.
- Enhanced Wine/Proton gaming support via the NTSYNC driver.
- Improved container tooling with decoupled bpftools and linux-perf.
5. Devpacks for Developers
Canonical introduces Devpacks, snap bundles designed to provide the latest developer tools. These include updated toolchains for Python, Rust, .NET, LLVM, OpenJDK, and more. For Spring developers, the devpack-for-spring snap delivers the latest frameworks like Spring Boot 3.3 and Spring Framework 6.1.
6. Dracut for Faster Boot Times
Ubuntu 25.04 adds experimental support for Dracut, an alternative to initramfs-tools. Early testers report faster boot times, and it may become the default in future releases.
7. Enhanced Networking and Time Security
Networking improvements include:
- NTS (Network Time Security) for secure time synchronization.
- Improved handling of wpa-psk-sha256 secured Wi-Fi networks.
- DNS-aware online checks with Netplan.
8. ARM64 Desktop ISO
Ubuntu 25.04 introduces an ARM64 Desktop ISO, making it easier to install Ubuntu on ARM-based devices, including laptops and virtual machines powered by Snapdragon processors.
9. Gaming and Graphics Enhancements
Gamers can expect better performance thanks to kernel improvements and Dynamic Boost support for NVIDIA hardware. Additionally, JPEG-XL support is enabled by default for enhanced image handling.
10. Security and Visual Updates
Security features include updated AppArmor profiles for enhanced application protection. Visual tweaks include resized icons, improved contrast, and a new default wallpaper.
How to Download and Upgrade to Ubuntu 25.04
Download Ubuntu 25.04
You can download Ubuntu 25.04 directly from the official website:
Download Ubuntu 25.04
Upgrade from Ubuntu 24.10
Users of Ubuntu 24.10 can upgrade to Ubuntu 25.04 seamlessly. Ensure that you’ve enabled notifications for all releases, not just LTS versions. For detailed upgrade instructions, visit:
Upgrade Guide or refer to my previous post 25. Upgrading Ubuntu Server from 22.04 to 24.04: A Step-by-Step Guide – SysOSX: AI & Cloud
Maintenance Updates
As an interim release, Ubuntu 25.04 will receive maintenance updates for 9 months, until January 2026.
Official Flavours of Ubuntu 25.04
In addition to the main release, the following flavours are available:
- Edubuntu
- Kubuntu
- Lubuntu
- Ubuntu Budgie
- Ubuntu Cinnamon
- Ubuntu Kylin
- Ubuntu MATE
- Ubuntu Studio
- Ubuntu Unity
- Xubuntu
Explore the individual release notes for these flavours:
Ubuntu 25.04 Official Flavours
Conclusion
Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” is a polished release that caters to a diverse audience—from developers and gamers to casual users. With GNOME 48, Linux 6.14, and exciting new features like Devpacks and BeaconDB, this release sets the stage for a more performant and user-friendly experience. Whether you’re upgrading or trying Ubuntu for the first time, this release is worth exploring.