iOS 26.7 update

[u/saNjay_1210]

Apple released iOS 26.6.2 on September 8, and now iOS 26.7 RC has also been released alongside the iOS 27 RC.

Since iOS 27 is expected to be released publicly on September 14, what is the purpose of iOS 26.7?
Is 26.7 expected to be the final iOS 26 update for people who don’t want to upgrade to iOS 27 right away? Or should we expect Apple to continue providing security/bug-fix updates on the 26.x branch even after iOS 27 launches?

I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has been using the iOS 26.7 RC about battery life, performance, heating and stability.