Meta’s big plans to release a new pair of mixed reality glasses have been on hold for a long time. The company is pushing back the device’s release by about 2 years. It’s hard for the next generation of wearable tech to succeed and turn a profit, as shown by Meta’s delay of its mixed reality glasses. The delay gives the product more time to get better, but it also gives other companies time to get ahead.
Details on the delay and development of Meta’s mixed reality glasses
According to Business Insider, Meta is delaying the release of its new mixed-reality glasses, which are currently called “Phoenix” within the company. The device was supposed to come out in the second half of 2026, but now it won’t be available until the first half of 2027. According to an internal memo, the new timeline would give the team “a lot more time to get the details right.”
People say that these mixed reality glasses look like the Apple Vision Pro because they are shaped like goggles. The glasses will connect to a battery pack that looks like a puck and is outside to help with weight and heat. This is the same way that Apple makes its expensive headphones. Meta’s team wants to give users an experience that is “fully polished and reliable.”
It was decided to wait after a meeting in which CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of a business model that will last and deliver better experiences. The Reality Labs division of Meta is reportedly considering cutting its budget by up to 30% alongside this change. The Reality Labs division works on projects in the metaverse and hardware. The company is also working on other wearable projects, like the “Malibu 2” device.
Meta has the most interesting AR/VR hardware on the market, but its mixed-reality glasses have been delayed. A market research company, IDC, says Meta had more than 60% market share in the second quarter of 2025. The success of its Ray-Ban smart glasses is a big reason why. They show that people are very interested in wearable technology.
In conclusion, the fact that Meta’s mixed reality glasses launch has been pushed back shows how hard it is to make wearable computers that are both useful and interesting. There is more time for competitors to capture people’s attention due to the delay. The company has more time to improve the product.
