Meta Revives Malibu 2 Smartwatch for 2026 Launch

Key details: - **Codename:** Malibu 2 - **Target Launch:** Later in 2026 - **Key Features:** Health tracking sensors, built-in Meta AI assistant - **Category:** Meta's first smartwatch - **Status:** Revived from previously abandoned project

The Meta AI assistant integration is the differentiator. Rather than competing purely on health sensors — where Apple Watch dominates — Meta is betting that an AI-native wearable with conversational capabilities will carve out a distinct market position.

Why Now

Three factors are driving the timing:

**1. Ray-Ban Display success.** Meta's smart glasses shipped nearly 6 million units in 2025, proving that consumers will adopt AI-powered wearables beyond smartphones. The glasses validated Meta's approach of embedding AI assistants into lightweight, everyday devices.

**2. AI assistant maturity.** Meta AI has scaled rapidly across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. A wrist-based form factor gives the assistant always-on accessibility with health context — a combination no competitor currently offers.

**3. Competitive pressure.** [Apple](https://startupintros.com/orgs/apple) is developing [three AI wearables simultaneously](https://startupintros.com/news/2026-02-19-wearables-arms-race) (smart glasses, camera pendant, camera AirPods). [OpenAI](https://startupintros.com/orgs/openai) partnered with [Jony Ive](https://startupintros.com/people/jony-ive)'s [LoveFrom](https://startupintros.com/orgs/lovefrom) to build a dedicated AI hardware device. Meta can't afford to cede the wrist to Apple while competitors converge on the same "post-smartphone" thesis.

Meta's Hardware Portfolio

Reality Labs currently has approximately four AR/MR devices in development: - **Ray-Ban Display glasses** — shipping, ~6M units sold - **Malibu 2 smartwatch** — revived, targeting 2026 - **Phoenix MR headset** — delayed to 2027 - **Additional AR prototype(s)** — in early development

The parallel device strategy suggests Meta is testing multiple form factors simultaneously rather than betting on a single flagship. The risk is consumer confusion; the upside is finding the right AI-wearable product-market fit before competitors do.

Competitive Landscape

- **Apple Watch:** Dominant in health tracking, deep iOS integration, but no conversational AI assistant at the wrist level yet - **Samsung Galaxy Watch:** Strong Android ecosystem play, health sensors, but limited AI capabilities - **Google Pixel Watch:** Gemini integration emerging, but limited traction - **[OpenAI](https://startupintros.com/orgs/openai) + [LoveFrom](https://startupintros.com/orgs/lovefrom):** Unknown form factor, but AI-first design philosophy

Meta's advantage is its AI assistant ecosystem (2B+ users across apps) and proven wearable distribution through Ray-Ban. The challenge is building hardware quality that matches Apple and Samsung on day one.

Why This Matters for Founders

The wearables market is entering a platform war. Health sensors, always-on AI assistants, and contextual awareness all need fresh software stacks. The companies building these devices will control distribution. The startups building ambient AI applications on top of them — voice interfaces, health data pipelines, contextual notification systems — are positioned for the next wave of platform-defining opportunities.