Metas Phoenix mixed reality glasses delayed to 2027
Meta has announced a delay in the release of its highly anticipated mixed reality headset, codenamed “Phoenix,” as the company shifts its focus towards enhancing next-generation devices and wearables over the coming year. This decision, stemming from directives by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aims to prioritize “higher quality experiences” and ensure a sustainable business model for Reality Labs. In an internal memo, Maher Saba, Vice President of Reality Labs, reassured employees that the postponement is not due to the addition of new features, but rather a strategic move to refine the headset’s details and overall user experience.
The delay has been met with a degree of optimism from Meta’s VR leadership, including executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns, who emphasized the need for “breathing room” to perfect the product. They highlighted the challenges of tight schedules and significant changes to the user experience that could compromise the quality of the final product. The headset is expected to feature a design reminiscent of Apple’s Vision Pro, characterized by a goggle-like shape and an external computing puck that contributes to its lightweight form. It will operate on the same Horizon OS that powers Meta’s Quest headsets, ensuring a cohesive ecosystem for users.
In the meantime, Meta is setting its sights on a 2026 release for a “limited edition” wearable device named “Malibu 2,” alongside a next-generation Meta Quest device. This revamp aims to incorporate major upgrades, particularly in immersive gaming capabilities, reflecting Meta’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology. As the company navigates these changes, it remains focused on refining its offerings to create a polished and reliable experience for consumers, positioning itself as a strong contender in the competitive landscape of mixed reality and virtual reality technologies.
Meta
is delaying the release of its anticipated mixed reality headset, codename “Phoenix,” and will focus on next-gen devices and wearables over the next year.
In an
internal memo
, Reality Labs Vice President Maher Saba stated that the commands originated from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who instructed Reality Labs teams to focus on “higher quality experiences” and other efforts to make the business more sustainable. Saba clarified to employees that the extended timeline was not due to the device receiving additional features, but rather to encourage teams to refine the details.
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Other Meta VR leaders, including Reality Labs executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns, added that the decision would give them more “breathing room” to complete the product, as reported by Business Insider. “There’s a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and big changes to our core UX, and we won’t compromise on landing a fully polished and reliable experience,” they wrote in another memo.
The glasses reportedly look similar to Apple’s Vision Pro glasses, with a goggle-like shape and an external computing puck that makes the unit extremely lightweight. Insiders say it will run on the same Horizon OS as Meta’s Quest headsets.
Meta will instead aim for a 2026 release of a “limited edition” wearable device, called “Malibu 2,” as well as a next-generation Meta Quest device. Aul and Cairns said the revamp will include a major capabilities upgrade focused on immersive gaming.
