Highlights
- Meta is reportedly preparing to launch its debut smartwatch with advanced health tracking and Meta AI integration.
- The smartwatch may debut alongside updated Ray‑Ban smart glasses.
- Meta is reassessing its AR/MR plans, delaying its Phoenix mixed‑reality glasses to 2027.
Meta is reportedly gearing up to enter the smartwatch segment with its first device, expected to debut in 2026. The device will reportedly focus heavily on health tracking features and integration with Meta AI. This would mark Meta’s official entry into the highly competitive smartwatch space. Here’s everything we know about the project so far.
Meta Smartwatch May Launch Alongside Updated Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
According to a report by The Information (via The Verge), Meta’s smartwatch project is internally codenamed “Malibu 2.” The device is expected to launch alongside an upgraded version of Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses.
The report suggests that the smartwatch could become a key component of Meta’s broader wearable ecosystem. Notably, it may replace the neural wristband currently used for gesture-based controls with the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, streamlining how users interact with the devices.
The rumoured smartwatch is believed to be part of Meta’s larger hardware strategy, as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to fitness and lifestyle gadgets. With AI-powered features now a major selling point in modern wearables, Meta appears keen to position its smartwatch as a next-generation device in the evolving health-tech ecosystem.
This would not be Meta’s first attempt at launching a smartwatch. The company had previously been working on a wrist-worn device and some early prototypes reportedly featured multiple cameras.
However, Meta shelved the project in 2022 amid technical hurdles and wider cost-cutting measures within its Reality Labs division. So far, Meta has not officially confirmed the new smartwatch plans.
AR and Mixed-Reality Strategy Under Review
The report further indicates that Meta is reassessing its broader augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) roadmap. While multiple AR and MR products remain in development, a mixed-reality glasses project internally known as “Phoenix” has reportedly been delayed until 2027.
If the smartwatch arrives as expected, Meta will enter a crowded wearables market currently led by major players such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Garmin, and Fitbit. The launch would also underscore the broader industry shift toward AI-driven consumer electronics, particularly in the health and fitness segment.
Separately, Meta recently stated that strong demand combined with limited supply forced it to pause the global rollout of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses. Industry estimates cited in the report claim that shipments of these glasses reached nearly six million units last year.
FAQs
Q1. When is Meta’s smartwatch expected to launch?
Answer. Meta’s first smartwatch, internally codenamed Malibu 2, is tipped for a 2026 debut, marking the company’s official entry into the wearable device market.
Q2. What features will the Meta smartwatch focus on?
Answer. The device is expected to emphasise advanced health tracking and deep integration with Meta AI, potentially replacing the neural wristband currently used for gesture controls with Ray‑Ban smart glasses.
Q3. How does the smartwatch fit into Meta’s broader hardware strategy?
Answer. It is part of Meta’s larger push into AI‑driven wearables and mixed‑reality devices. While the smartwatch may launch in 2026, Meta’s Phoenix mixed‑reality glasses have reportedly been delayed until 2027 to better space out hardware releases.