MENLO PARK, California, January 22, 2026 — Meta is once again developing a smartwatch, with internal teams aiming for a consumer launch in 2026, according to sources familiar with the project.
The device would mark Meta’s first true smartwatch after previous efforts were shelved in 2023 due to technical and strategic challenges. The current prototype focuses on health and fitness tracking, including heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, step counting, and integration with Meta’s existing wearables ecosystem like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Key features under consideration include a circular or square display, cellular connectivity, long battery life, and deep integration with Meta AI for voice commands, notifications, and contextual assistance. The watch is expected to run a custom operating system based on Android, similar to the approach used in Meta’s Quest headsets.
Meta has faced repeated setbacks in wearables. Earlier smartwatch projects, codenamed “Eagle” and “Hypernova,” were canceled due to concerns over battery life, form factor, and market readiness. The company shifted focus to smart glasses, launching the Ray-Ban Meta line in 2023 with a follow-up display-equipped model in late 2025.
The renewed push comes as competitors like Apple, Google, Samsung, and Garmin dominate the smartwatch category. Meta sees potential in combining its social and AI strengths—such as real-time translation, AR overlays, and social sharing—with traditional fitness tracking to differentiate in a crowded market.
Meta declined to comment on the report. The company has said repeatedly that it views wearables as a long-term opportunity but has not committed to a specific timeline.
If launched in 2026, the smartwatch would compete directly with the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, and Pixel Watch, while potentially integrating with Meta’s growing AI assistant ecosystem.
The news follows Meta’s increased investment in hardware, including recent acquisitions in AI and audio technology to bolster its consumer device lineup.
