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Meta Plans AI Smartwatch Launch This Year
📰#wearables#health-tracking#ar-mrFreshcollected in 8m

Meta Plans AI Smartwatch Launch This Year

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📰Read original on The Verge

💡Meta's AI smartwatch revives wearables push—key for edge AI health tracking devs.

⚡ 30-Second TL;DR

What changed

Malibu 2 smartwatch to launch later this year with AI and health tracking

Why it matters

Meta's pivot to smartwatches over MR glasses signals a strategic focus on nearer-term AI wearables, potentially accelerating on-device AI competition with Apple. AI practitioners could benefit from new hardware platforms for edge AI health apps.

What to do next

Monitor Meta's Reality Labs announcements for AI SDK previews targeting wearables.

Who should care:Founders & Product Leaders

🧠 Deep Insight

Web-grounded analysis with 6 cited sources.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • •Meta has revived its previously shelved smartwatch project, now code-named Malibu 2, with plans for a 2026 release featuring health tracking and Meta AI integration[4]
  • •Project Phoenix, Meta's premium lightweight VR headset with external compute puck, has been delayed from 2026 to H1 2027 according to internal memos[1]
  • •The Phoenix device architecture separates compute capabilities into an external waistband-mounted puck with cooling exhaust, reducing headset weight[1]
📊 Competitor Analysis▸ Show
Feature CategoryMeta Malibu 2Apple WatchSamsung Galaxy Watch
Health TrackingConfirmedECG, Blood Oxygen, TemperatureECG, Blood Oxygen, Temperature
AI IntegrationMeta AISiriBixby
Launch Timeline2026 (planned)OngoingOngoing
Compute ArchitectureIntegrated smartwatchIntegratedIntegrated
Ecosystem IntegrationMeta/Ray-BanApple ecosystemSamsung ecosystem

🛠️ Technical Deep Dive

• Malibu 2 smartwatch: Health tracking sensors and Meta AI assistant integration planned for 2026 release • Project Phoenix VR headset: Lightweight design with external compute puck containing processing chip and thermal management • Compute puck specifications: Waistband-mounted form factor with cooling exhaust system for thermal dissipation • Architecture shift: Moving compute off-device to reduce headset weight and improve user comfort • Development status: Physical prototypes of Phoenix compute unit under testing as of February 2026

🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources

Meta's dual-track strategy of launching consumer wearables (Malibu 2) while delaying premium AR/MR hardware (Phoenix to 2027) suggests a market-driven approach prioritizing near-term revenue and AI integration over advanced spatial computing. The separation of compute from headset hardware in Phoenix could establish a new architectural paradigm for VR/MR devices, potentially influencing industry standards. However, recent layoffs create execution risk for both initiatives. The smartwatch revival after 2022 cancellation indicates Meta's renewed confidence in wearable health technology as a platform for AI services and ecosystem lock-in.

⏳ Timeline

2022
Meta cancels original smartwatch project due to technical and cost challenges
2025-12
Internal memo confirms Project Phoenix VR headset delayed to H1 2027
2026-01-01
VR leaker Luna posts mockup of Project Phoenix lightweight VR HMD based on development units
2026-02-06
VR leaker Noridoesvr reveals compute puck mockup for Project Phoenix with waistband clip and cooling exhaust
2026-02-18
Reports confirm Meta revived Malibu 2 smartwatch project with 2026 launch plans featuring health tracking and Meta AI

📎 Sources (6)

Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.

  1. tomsguide.com
  2. shopcarpetplus.com
  3. scribd.com
  4. techmeme.com
  5. crutchfield.com
  6. walmart.com

Meta is reportedly set to launch the Malibu 2 smartwatch with health tracking and AI features later this year, ahead of updated Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. The company has delayed its Phoenix mixed reality glasses until 2027 to streamline its AR/MR roadmap. This follows the cancellation of prior smartwatch plans in 2022 due to technical and cost issues.

Key Points

  • 1.Malibu 2 smartwatch to launch later this year with AI and health tracking
  • 2.Updated Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses planned alongside
  • 3.Phoenix MR glasses delayed to 2027 amid AR/MR roadmap changes
  • 4.Prior Meta smartwatch project scrapped in 2022 for technical/cost reasons

Impact Analysis

Meta's pivot to smartwatches over MR glasses signals a strategic focus on nearer-term AI wearables, potentially accelerating on-device AI competition with Apple. AI practitioners could benefit from new hardware platforms for edge AI health apps.

Technical Details

The smartwatch, code-named Malibu 2, features health tracking and AI capabilities. It precedes Phoenix MR glasses, delayed to 2027 for roadmap streamlining. Updated Ray-Ban glasses with displays are also in development.

📰 Event Coverage

IT之家 • 2/18/2026
Meta AI Smartwatch Launch Planned for 2025
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#wearables#health-tracking#ar-mrmeta-malibu-2-smartwatch
📰Read original article on The Verge
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