Meta is making a second attempt at the smartwatch market. According to reports from The Information, the company plans to launch a health-tracking smartwatch with AI features later this year, marking its return to the wearable space after scrapping an earlier project in 2022.
The device, code-named "Malibu 2," represents Meta's renewed ambition in the wearables market, where it will face off against established players including Apple, Google, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit. The timing is notable: Meta's smartwatch arrival coincides with broader industry shifts toward AI-integrated wearables and continued growth in the health tracking category.
From Failure to Fresh Start
Meta's first smartwatch attempt never made it to market. In 2022, the company cancelled its smartwatch project citing technical challenges and cost-cutting measures during a broader restructuring of its hardware division. That device reportedly featured dual cameras and was designed to function as both a fitness tracker and a controller for Meta's metaverse ambitions.
The Malibu 2 takes a different approach. Rather than positioning the smartwatch as a metaverse controller, Meta appears to be focusing on core wearable fundamentals: health tracking and AI integration. This strategic pivot aligns with market realities—consumers have shown far more interest in fitness-focused wearables than VR-connected wrist devices.
The new watch builds on Meta's recent hardware success with the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, which launched to strong demand last year. In fact, the glasses proved so popular that Meta had to pause international expansion due to "unprecedented demand and limited inventory." The smartwatch could serve as a companion device, potentially replacing the neural wristband currently used for gesture controls on the AR glasses.
Health Tracking and AI: The Core Features
According to reports, the Malibu 2 will offer health-tracking capabilities similar to those found on existing smartwatches, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and likely sleep tracking. The device will also feature a built-in Meta AI assistant, integrating the company's conversational AI technology directly into the wrist-worn form factor.
This AI-first approach differentiates Meta's offering from competitors. While Apple Watch and Garmin devices have added AI features over time, Meta is positioning its smartwatch as an AI-native product from the start. The integration would allow users to interact with Meta's AI assistant for tasks like setting reminders, answering questions, and controlling smart home devices—all from their wrist.
The combination of health tracking and AI places Meta squarely in competition with Apple's rumored AI wearable plans. Reports indicate Apple is working on its own AI-enabled smart glasses that could launch as early as next year, creating a potential head-to-head battle between the two tech giants in the AI wearables space.
Market Context: A Crowded Field
The smartwatch market has grown significantly since Meta's first attempt failed in 2022. Apple Watch continues to dominate the premium segment, while Google has consolidated its position through the Fitbit acquisition and Pixel Watch lineup. Samsung's Galaxy Watch remains strong, and Garmin continues to appeal to athletes and fitness enthusiasts with its multisport-focused devices.
For Meta, the challenge is twofold. First, the company must convince consumers that its smartwatch offers something distinct from existing options. Second, Meta needs to prove it can deliver a quality hardware product—something it has struggled with in other categories, despite successes with Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban glasses.
The timing of the Malibu 2 launch also raises questions about Meta's hardware strategy. The company is reportedly delaying its mixed reality glasses, code-named "Phoenix," until 2027 as it works to streamline its AR and MR roadmap. The smartwatch's arrival in 2026 suggests Meta is prioritizing more immediately marketable wearables over futuristic hardware that remains technically challenging.
Ecosystem Considerations
One advantage Meta may leverage is its existing ecosystem. The smartwatch would integrate with Meta's social platforms, potentially offering unique features for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp users. Notifications, messaging, and even social fitness features could differentiate the device from competitors who lack Meta's social infrastructure.
However, this integration could also raise privacy concerns. Meta's handling of user data has drawn scrutiny from regulators and consumers alike, and a smartwatch collecting health data—heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels—would likely face additional scrutiny.
The company's partnership with Ray-Ban parent EssilorLuxottica could also influence the smartwatch's design and distribution. Ray-Ban has proven adept at making technology-enabled eyewear that doesn't look like traditional VR headsets, and similar design sensibilities could inform the smartwatch's aesthetic.
What This Means for Consumers
If Meta successfully launches the Malibu 2, consumers will gain another option in an increasingly competitive smartwatch market. The addition of a major new player could drive innovation and potentially lower prices as companies compete for market share.
For those already invested in the Apple or Google ecosystems, switching to a Meta smartwatch may not make sense. But for users who prefer Android or are already using Meta's VR products, the Malibu 2 could offer a compelling integrated experience.
The AI integration is particularly worth watching. If Meta can deliver a genuinely useful AI assistant on the wrist—something that goes beyond what smartphone assistants already offer—it could establish a new category expectation. The question is whether the company can execute on this vision while delivering the health tracking accuracy that consumers expect from modern wearables.
Looking Ahead
The smartwatch market shows no signs of slowing. With the global fitness tracker market projected to reach $34 billion by 2035 and AI integration becoming increasingly standard, Meta's timing is opportunistic. The company enters a mature market with established players but also significant room for differentiation.
Apple's response will be crucial. The company is reportedly working on AI smart glasses and has continued to expand Apple Watch's health capabilities. If Meta can execute on the Malibu 2, it could force Apple to accelerate its own wearable AI features—or risk losing ground to a competitor with massive social platform reach.
For now, the details remain limited. Pricing, exact specifications, and availability are still unclear. But Meta's revival of its smartwatch ambitions signals that the company sees wearables as a critical piece of its hardware strategy—a recognition that the future of computing may be increasingly worn rather than held or viewed through headsets.
The Competitive Landscape
Meta enters a smartwatch market that has matured considerably since its first attempt. The competitive environment includes several distinct player categories:
Premium Leaders: Apple Watch dominates the high-end segment with its seamless integration with iOS and an established health ecosystem. Google's Pixel Watch has gained traction among Android users seeking a premium experience, leveraging Google's AI capabilities and Fitbit's health expertise.
Fitness Specialists: Garmin continues to command serious athletes with its precise GPS tracking, extended battery life, and advanced training metrics. Fitbit, now under Google ownership, occupies the mid-range with a focus on health optimization rather than technical specifications.
Budget Options: Xiaomi and Amazfit offer capable devices at significantly lower price points, particularly in markets outside North America and Europe. These brands have found success by delivering essential features at accessible prices.
Emerging Players: Samsung maintains a strong position with Galaxy Watch, particularly among users embedded in the Android/Samsung ecosystem. Huawei continues expanding its wearable lineup despite regulatory challenges in Western markets.
Against this backdrop, Meta must find white space. The company's strengths—AI capabilities, social platform integration, and hardware design partnerships—could provide differentiation. The question is whether these strengths translate into compelling wearable features or remain nice-to-have additions that don't justify switching ecosystems.
Technical Challenges Remain
Building a competitive smartwatch is technically demanding. Key challenges include:
Battery Life: Consumers expect multiple days of use between charges, yet powerful processors and always-on displays drain batteries quickly. Balancing performance with longevity requires careful engineering—something Apple and Garmin have mastered through custom silicon and optimized software.
Health Sensor Accuracy: Consumer-grade heart rate monitors and SpO2 sensors have improved dramatically but still vary in accuracy. Medical-grade precision remains elusive at consumer price points, and companies must manage expectations while continuing to improve.
Water Resistance: Smartwatches need to survive swimming, sweating, and rain. Achieving adequate water resistance while maintaining sensor quality and comfortable wear is a delicate balance.
Software Ecosystem: The watch is only as useful as its app ecosystem. Meta will need to convince developers to build for its platform—a challenge when Apple and Google dominate existing developer relationships.
The AI Integration Question
Meta's decision to lead with AI integration is strategic but carries both opportunity and risk. On one hand, AI assistants on wearables represent the next frontier, potentially enabling use cases that smartphone assistants cannot match. Picture asking your watch to summarize incoming messages, suggest workouts based on your schedule, or provide real-time translation during conversation.
On the other hand, AI features require reliable connectivity and cloud processing—or powerful on-device AI chips that consume battery. The implementation details matter enormously. A sluggish or inaccurate AI experience could frustrate users rather than delight them.
Meta has invested heavily in AI across its product lines, from content recommendation algorithms to conversational assistants. Translating that investment into a compelling wrist-worn experience will require hardware and software teams to work in close concert—a coordination challenge that has tripped up other companies attempting to enter the smartwatch market.
The Glasses Connection
One intriguing aspect of Meta's wearable strategy is the potential synergy between smartwatches and smart glasses. The Ray-Ban Display glasses currently use a neural wristband for gesture controls—a band that reads electrical signals from forearm muscles to interpret hand movements.
A Meta smartwatch could potentially replace this dedicated wristband, offering similar functionality in a more versatile package. Users could control their glasses, receive notifications, and interact with AI assistants—all from a device they already wear daily.
This ecosystem approach distinguishes Meta from competitors who treat each device as a standalone product. If Meta can create seamless interactions between its wearable lineup—smartwatch, smart glasses, and VR headsets—it could offer an integrated experience that Apple and Google struggle to match.
What Comes Next
The smartwatch market's growth trajectory suggests room for new entrants. With global fitness tracker adoption continuing to rise and AI capabilities opening new possibilities, the category remains dynamic. Meta's entry, if it happens, will test whether brand recognition and ecosystem integration can overcome late-mover disadvantages.
For now, the industry watches and waits. The success or failure of Malibu 2 will reveal whether Meta has learned from its earlier missteps—and whether the company can deliver hardware that matches its ambitious vision for AI-integrated wearables.
The coming months should bring more details about specifications, pricing, and availability. Until then, one thing is clear: the smartwatch market just got more interesting.