Meta may launch a smartwatch following the success of the Meta Ray-Ban; see what we know.

Rumors about a Meta smartwatch have resurfaced, and for good reason.

After what happened with Ray-Ban glasses, Meta may launch a smartwatch following the success of the Meta Ray-Ban. It still makes sense — and perhaps more so than ever.

What once seemed like a whim now carries the weight of an unexpected commercial success.

Continue reading our article to learn more!

Summary of Topics Covered

1. What do we really know about this smartwatch?
2. How is the Ray-Ban phenomenon shaping this trend?
3. What features might appear on the device?
4. Why did Meta decide to try again right now?
5. What are the risks and who is in the way?
6. Frequently Asked Questions

What do we really know about this smartwatch?

The codename is Malibu 2. The release window indicated by those closely following the story is the end of 2026.

This is not just speculation: internal sources have leaked that the project has been revived after being shelved for years.

Unlike what was attempted in 2022 — when cameras, weak batteries, and cost-cutting killed the idea — the focus now seems to be on AI assistants on the wrist and health tracking with a neural touch.

The watch doesn't just want to be another competitor to the Apple Watch. It wants to be the invisible remote control for Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Little is known about the design or exact price, but the clear intention is to create an ecosystem where the two devices communicate without you needing to touch anything. That already changes the conversation.

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How is the Ray-Ban phenomenon shaping this trend?

Meta's smart glasses, in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, sold nearly 6 million units by 2025—a number that surprised many, including those within the company. It wasn't just volume: it was acceptance.

People wear Ray-Bans every day without looking like science fiction robots.

This quiet success gave Meta the oxygen it needed to revisit old ideas.

Previously, hardware was seen as an expensive distraction; now, it seems to be the most viable way to keep users within the Meta AI universe.

There's something almost poetic about it. Ray-Ban walked in through the front door disguised as a fashion accessory.

The smartwatch may be the next natural step: less flashy than a headset, more present than a pair of glasses.

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What features might appear on the device?

The most consistent rumors speak of health sensors that go beyond the basics — continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, perhaps even stress signals interpreted by AI.

The key difference would be neural sensing: a technology that captures electrical signals from muscles to give gesture commands without needing to speak or touch the screen.

Meta AI would be at the heart of it all, answering contextual questions, suggesting actions, perhaps even anticipating needs.

An example I can imagine: you're running in the morning in Sorocaba, your watch notices your cadence has dropped, cross-references this with data about poor sleep from the previous night, and adjusts your playlist to something more motivating while your Ray-Bans display an AR map of the route.

Another scenario: during a remote meeting, your wrist vibrates with a real-time summary of what's being said in the glasses, allowing you to respond without taking your eyes off the camera.

These are possibilities that, if executed well, can make the product seem indispensable.

Quick table comparing speculation with what already exists in the market:

Resource	Malibu 2 (rumors)	Apple Watch Series 11	Galaxy Watch 8 (2025)
Native AI	Meta AI + neural sensing	Siri with Apple Intelligence	Galaxy AI + Advanced Bixby
Advanced health	Muscle EMG, AI stress	ECG, SpO2, temperature	BioActive, sleep analysis
AR Integration	A direct companion to Ray-Ban	Limited to apps	Partial integration with glasses
Estimated range	~2 days with AI active	18–36 h	Up to 3 days
Projected price	US$ 350–450	Starting from US$ 399	Starting from US$ 349

Why did Meta decide to try again right now?

The timing is no coincidence. The wearables market has matured, AI has gone from being a promise to a minimum expectation, and Meta finally has a hardware hit to show investors.

After years of spending billions on metaverses and glasses that nobody wanted, Ray-Ban proved that a low-key approach works.

Reviving the smartwatch is now also a strategic defense. Leaving your wrist bare means handing that territory over to Apple and Google on a silver platter.

And Meta learned from the mistakes of 2022: less initial ambition, more focus on integration with what it already sells.

The question that remains is: wouldn't it be strange if, in a few years, the wrist became the main gateway to personal AI—closer to the body than any screen?

What are the risks and who is in the way?

The competition is unforgiving. Apple has a closed ecosystem and almost religious loyalty. Samsung dominates Android with mature sensors and constant updates.

Entering this fight with a first-generation product is risky — even more so coming from a company that carries the stigma of privacy.

Maintaining a constant battery life for AI without turning your wrist into a brick remains the biggest technical challenge.

And there's the social risk: a watch always on the wrist collects biometric data 24/7. Even with promises of encryption, Meta's history leaves many people wary.

It's like driving a fast car after a serious accident: the speed is there, the engine roars, but everyone looks at you suspiciously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Response
When is the Meta smartwatch coming out?	The strongest bet is on the end of 2026, but nothing official yet.
Will there be a camera in the watch?	Unlikely — the focus now is on neural sensing, not extra hardware.
Does it replace Ray-Bans or does it work alongside them?	They work together. The idea is to form a complementary pair.
Should I wait or buy a competitor now?	If you're already in the Meta ecosystem, it's worth waiting. Otherwise, current options are safer.
And what about privacy? Will they really protect my data?	They promise end-to-end encryption, but the company's past generates legitimate distrust.

To follow closely: Tom's Guide's analysis of the competition on the wrist..