Meta Unleashes Next-Gen Smartwatch to Challenge Apple Watch Dominance in 2026

Rumors suggest that Meta is not giving up on its smartwatch plans just yet. Initially, there were talks of a “Facebook Watch” in 2021, but by the following year, reports indicated that the project had been put on hold as Meta shifted its focus to augmented reality glasses within its Reality Labs division.

However, recent hints from the supply chain imply that the smartwatch project is back in motion. Jyoti Mann from The Information confirms that Meta’s first smartwatch might hit the market by the end of the year.

Despite scaling back its ambitions, Meta is still moving forward with the project. Initially planned as a lineup of camera-equipped watches, the focus has now narrowed down to a single product code-named “Malibu 2.” Surprisingly, the smartwatch may not even feature a camera.

The Malibu 2 is positioned as a health-tracking and AI wearable designed to complement an updated version of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, codenamed “Phoenix.” The glasses will provide visual input while the smartwatch will offer a user interface, potentially replacing the Neural Band used for gesture controls with the current Ray-Ban Display glasses.

Meta’s recent smart glasses have been well-received, prompting the company to pause their international rollout due to high demand and limited inventory.

Meta vs. Apple

Meta’s original “Facebook Watch” project aimed to surpass Apple by introducing a camera to the smartwatch. However, the concept of a dual-camera system seems to have been abandoned in favor of a more streamlined approach in the evolving landscape of smartwatches as AI accessories.

Meta will be competing not only against Apple but also other tech giants like Google, Garmin, Samsung, and Fitbit. With its successful smart glasses in the market, Meta is poised to integrate its smartwatch tightly with its existing products, potentially appealing to users already invested in the Meta ecosystem.

Apple, on the other hand, is rumored to be developing its own set of smart glasses and exploring the integration of cameras into various devices. While Meta currently holds an advantage in smart glasses, Apple is determined to launch a competitive product before Meta.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]