Meta ($META) is reigniting its smartwatch ambitions as part of a larger initiative to shape the future of AI-driven consumer technology, positioning itself against competitors like Apple and Google.
According to reports, the company is set to unveil its first smartwatch, codenamed "Malibu 2," in 2026. This device is expected to incorporate health-tracking features along with a built-in Meta AI assistant. This revival follows the cancellation of an earlier smartwatch project in 2022 due to budget cuts within its Reality Labs hardware division.
The original smartwatch plan included three camera-equipped models, but it was shelved as Meta reduced spending during a corporate overhaul. The decision to restart the project reportedly stemmed from a strategic meeting at CEO Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian home last year, where executives outlined a more streamlined long-term product vision.
The Malibu 2 is anticipated to compete directly with the Apple Watch and other wearable brands such as Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit. Moreover, this smartwatch initiative aligns with Meta's expanding array of smart glasses and augmented reality devices. Last year, the company launched its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, developed in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica. These glasses, featuring a tiny display in one lens and support for Meta's AI assistant, surpassed sales expectations, moving over 7 million pairs in 2025, compared to about 2 million units sold from their 2023 launch through 2024. Limited inventory even led to a pause in market expansion in regions like the UK, France, Italy, and Canada.
The Ray-Ban Display glasses currently operate with a neural wristband for gesture controls, and the upcoming smartwatch could unify health tracking, AI interaction, and gesture input into a single device. An updated version of the Ray-Ban Display glasses, codenamed Hypernova 2, is also slated for release this year, with features potentially including facial recognition.
Simultaneously, Meta is refining its augmented and mixed reality strategy to prevent consumer confusion. Executives have voiced concerns that a rapid succession of device launches could overwhelm users. Consequently, the mixed reality glasses project, codenamed Phoenix, has been postponed until 2027, while a more advanced consumer AR glasses project named Artemis is still expected to debut in 2027, featuring digital overlays, avatar-based calling, and enhanced AI integration.
Meta's timing for its smartwatch and glasses initiatives aligns with intensifying competition in the sector. Apple is reportedly working on its smart glasses aimed for 2027, alongside an AI-centric wearable pin and camera-equipped AirPods closely integrated with the iPhone and an upgraded Siri. Google continues to invest in AI-driven consumer hardware as well.
By reintroducing a smartwatch into its product lineup, Meta is striving to create a more cohesive ecosystem that connects AI assistants, health tracking, and spatial computing across both wrist and face. As the company seeks to translate its AI ambitions into tangible products, 2026 could mark a pivotal year for Meta.
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