Meta preparing to launch a smartwatch alongside next-gen Ray-Ban smart glasses: report

Meta is preparing another attempt at a smartwatch with a 2026 launch on the cards, according to a report by The Information. The device, codenamed Malibu 2, is expected to include health tracking features and Meta AI integration, and is part of the company’s broader wearables strategy to create an ecosystem of sorts.

The report says the watch is being developed alongside an updated version of Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, which could also arrive later this year. The current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses glasses rely on a neural wristband for gesture controls. A smartwatch could take over that role, allowing users to manage notifications, control apps, and interact with AI from their wrist.

This is not Meta’s first effort in the smartwatch category. The company began work on a smartwatch in 2021 but cancelled the project in 2022 amid hardware cutbacks and technical challenges. Earlier prototypes were said to include an onboard camera and multiple design options. It’s unclear how much of that work carries over to Malibu 2, but the new push indicates Meta still sees value in a wrist-based companion for its glasses and future AR devices. The watch may also be a part of Meta’s long-term augmented and mixed reality plans, including its Phoenix mixed reality glasses, which are now reportedly delayed until 2027.

If it launches, Meta’s watch will compete with Apple, who leads the premium segment with the Apple Watch, while Samsung and Google target Android users with their Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch lines. Garmin and Fitbit remain strong in fitness-focused wearables, and Oura continues to build its presence in wellness tracking through its smart ring. Meta’s potential differentiation lies in cross-platform support and tighter integration with its own AI and glasses, rather than in health features alone.

Buyers interested in Meta’s smart glasses or future AR devices may find added value in a watch designed to work closely with them. Buyers primarily looking for a reliable fitness tracker or a proven smartwatch platform may still lean toward established options from Apple, Samsung, or Garmin as this would be the first prototype from the brand.