Meta has pushed back the launch of its next major mixed-reality device, the “Phoenix” glasses, from late 2026 to the first half of 2027, signaling tighter quality controls and strategic recalibration inside Reality Labs. The delay, revealed through internal memos seen by Business Insider, reflects Meta’s insistence on delivering a fully polished product rather than rushing a release in an increasingly competitive XR market.
Executives Maher Saba, Gabriel Aul, and Ryan Cairns told employees the shift will give teams “breathing room” to refine hardware and redesign the core user experience. The glasses, featuring a goggle-style frame tethered to a processing puck, have drawn comparisons to Apple’s Vision Pro. Some internal skepticism exists around the puck, but Meta views it as essential for reducing weight and preventing overheating.
The revised timeline follows feedback from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who urged Reality Labs leaders to prioritise sustainability and higher-quality experiences. Saba stressed that the extension isn’t permission to add features but purely to ensure reliability.
Alongside Phoenix, Meta plans a limited-edition wearable called “Malibu 2” in 2026 and has begun developing its next-generation Quest headset, promising major upgrades in immersive gaming and improved unit economics. The metaverse division is also preparing for potential budget cuts of up to 30%, which could affect teams behind Horizon Worlds.
Meta declined public comment, but the company continues expanding its AI hardware ambitions, recently acquiring Limitless, maker of AI-powered wearable pendants.
