Meta Postpones Launch of 'Phoenix' Mixed Reality Glasses to Perfect Details

Meta has decided to extend the timeline for its upcoming 'Phoenix' augmented reality glasses. Originally set for a late 2026 release, the launch is now scheduled for the early months of 2027. Maher Saba, the VP of Reality Labs Foundation, emphasized in a memo to company staff, which was accessed by Business Insider, the necessity of this delay to ensure every detail is finely tuned.

In a separate internal message witnessed by Business Insider, Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns, leaders in the metaverse initiative, expressed that the postponed launch date offers crucial time to refine important aspects of the glasses. They acknowledged the pressures of rapid-paced schedules and significant updates to the core user experience, and underlined their commitment to presenting a seamlessly polished product upon launch.

Details about the 'Phoenix' glasses were previously shared in a report by The Information, describing them as similar in design to ski goggles and linked to an external power source or 'puck.' Anonymous employees familiar with the glasses mentioned their resemblance to Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality glasses.

Some skepticism arose among Meta's leaders regarding the inclusion of the puck, but it was maintained to ensure the glasses remained lightweight and cool during operation, which was a priority to enhance user comfort.

After a discussion with CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Saba conveyed that Reality Labs' leadership received feedback emphasizing sustainable business practices and taking additional time to enhance the quality of their experiences.

Saba instructed RL teams that while timelines are extending, this is not a chance to overload the projects with new features but to polish the current ones.

Apart from the 'Phoenix' glasses, Meta is preparing a limited-edition wearable device called 'Malibu 2,' slated for a 2026 release. The Reality Labs teams are also in the early stages of developing a new version of the Quest line, prioritizing immersive gaming and notable improvements in device performance and cost-effectiveness.

Recently, Meta restructured its metaverse division, with Aul overseeing Meta Horizon products and Cairns handling virtual reality hardware, now jointly leading advancements in the space. This reorganization coincides with potential budget reductions of up to 30% in Reality Labs, which may affect personnel focused on Horizon Worlds, the company's virtual environment platform.

Meta furthered its venture into AI tech by acquiring Limitless, a company developing AI-driven pendant devices, marking a consistent expansion of its hardware capabilities.