Meta revives smartwatch plans with 2026 launch after shelving project in 2022

Meta Smartwatch Project Gets Second Life

Meta Platforms is reviving smartwatch plans it abandoned in 2022, targeting a 2026 launch for its first wearable device codenamed Malibu 2. According to a report from The Information, the Meta smartwatch will feature health tracking capabilities and a built-in Meta AI assistant, positioning the device as part of an AI-powered consumer hardware ecosystem 1

1

4

4

. The move marks a significant shift for Mark Zuckerberg's company as it seeks to diversify beyond social media advertising revenue.

From Metaverse Dreams to AI-First Strategy

The company first explored launching a smartwatch roughly five years ago, experimenting with versions that included up to three built-in cameras 3

3

. However, the project was shelved in 2022 as part of broader cost-cutting measures within Meta's Reality Labs division, which has since eliminated over 1,000 jobs amid heavy losses 2

2

. At the time, the company was heavily focused on virtual reality and the metaverse concept. Now, reviving smartwatch plans signals Meta's pivot toward an AI-first strategy, banking on integrated Meta AI assistant technology to differentiate itself in the crowded consumer electronics market.

Riding the Artificial Intelligence Boom

The timing of this comeback for wearables aligns with the artificial intelligence boom transforming the health and fitness industry. Meta already has proven experience with AI-infused wearables through its collaboration with Ray-Ban parent EssilorLuxottica. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have become one of the most popular AI smart glasses worldwide, with shipments climbing to nearly 6 million units last year, according to Smart Analytics Global data 4

4

. This success demonstrates both Meta's understanding of wearable technology demand and the market appetite for AI-powered devices. The AI-powered smartwatch will likely feature a voice-driven interface powered by Meta AI, creating synergy with the company's existing smart glasses 1

1

.

Entering a Competitive Arena

The Meta smartwatch faces stiff competition from established players including the Apple Watch, Samsung, Google via Wear OS and Fitbit, and Garmin 1

1

. By the end of 2026, all these companies will have released their latest flagship smartwatches with enhanced AI-based features. Meta's challenge is compounded by ongoing concerns about data privacy, with trust in Facebook's handling of personal data reportedly at an all-time low 2

2

. The company is also managing a complex product pipeline, with approximately four augmented reality and mixed-reality AR/MR glasses currently in development. Reality Labs employees were notified in December that Phoenix, the company's MR glasses, had been delayed until 2027 as Meta reassesses launch schedules to avoid confusing consumers with too many simultaneous releases 3

3

.

What This Means for Meta's Hardware Ambitions

The fitness-tracking features and health monitoring capabilities suggest Meta aims to position its smartwatch as a comprehensive wellness device rather than just a notification hub. This approach could help the company carve out a distinct identity in a market where differentiation is increasingly difficult. The device's success will depend on whether Meta can leverage its AI capabilities to offer unique experiences that justify entering such a saturated space. For investors and industry watchers, the 2026 launch will test whether Meta can translate its social media dominance and recent smart glasses success into broader wearable adoption, potentially reducing dependence on advertising revenue streams.