Meta has reportedly delayed the launch of its ambitious mixed reality glasses, codenamed "Phoenix," pushing the anticipated release from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027. This strategic adjustment, first reported by Business Insider, signals a renewed focus on product quality and long-term business sustainability for the tech giant.
While Meta, the parent company of Facebook, already offers popular VR headsets like the Quest and Ray-Ban smart glasses, the Phoenix project represents a different ambition. These new mixed reality glasses are said to feature a form factor akin to Apple's Vision Pro, complete with an external, puck-like power source.
Business Insider, which reportedly reviewed internal Meta memos, indicates the delay stems from directives by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He urged teams to prioritize business sustainability and deliver higher-quality user experiences for the company's future hardware. Metaverse leaders Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns reportedly echoed this sentiment in internal communications, stating the delay would "give us a lot more breathing room to get the details right."
This strategic shift aligns with recent reports from Bloomberg, which indicated earlier this week that Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by up to 30%. The combined actions suggest a more cautious and quality-driven approach to Meta's ambitious metaverse and hardware initiatives.
