Meta has reportedly postponed the launch of its new mixed reality glasses, initially expected in the first half of 2026, to the first half of 2027. The device, code-named “Phoenix,” is designed to compete with Apple Vision Pro. The delay was confirmed in a memo to employees by Maher Saba, VP of Reality Labs Foundation at Meta, highlighting the company’s focus on delivering a polished and reliable product.
In a separate memo, metaverse leaders Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns explained that the release date was pushed back to “give us a lot more breathing room to get the details right.” They added, “There’s a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and big changes to our core UX and we won’t compromise on landing a fully polished and reliable experience.” The move reflects Meta’s emphasis on quality over speed for its mixed reality offerings.
Saba noted that after a recent meeting with CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Reality Labs received feedback to make the business more sustainable and prioritize delivering high-quality experiences. He added, “Extending timelines is not an opportunity for us to add more features or take on additional work.” Meanwhile, Meta plans to release a limited edition wearable device in 2026, code-named “Malibu 2,” and is developing a next-generation Quest device focused on immersive gaming with significant capability upgrades and improved unit economics.
Meta recently acquired AI wearable startup Limitless, which produces a pendant that records, transcribes, and summarizes real-world conversations for memory augmentation. While details about the Phoenix glasses remain scarce, reports suggest a goggle-like form factor that may require external power to operate. The glasses are expected to resemble the Apple Vision Pro but could be lighter and more comfortable to prevent overheating. Meta is likely to face competition from OpenAI, which is reportedly working on its own AI hardware expected around 2027.
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